Matt shares how L'Arche Chicago invites people into a sacred time of reflection and renewal.
As a L’Arche community, we come from many different faith traditions—and some of us from none at all. Yet we share a common life together. During this season, two major traditions, Ramadan in Islam and Lent in Christianity, invite people into a sacred time of reflection and renewal.
Ramadan, which lasts about a month, is a time when Muslims pray, fast, and give generously. It is a season of making space in the heart for God and for those in need. Lent is a 40-day journey in which many Christians practice prayer, simplicity, and self-examination as they prepare for Easter, which is a season of celebration of hope and new life.
While these seasons are distinct, they share beautiful and meaningful themes: making space for God, practicing mercy, choosing simplicity, caring for others, and remembering that belonging to God is inseparable from belonging to one another.
This year at L’Arche Chicago, I invited our community to enter this sacred season by engaging some of these practices, not out of pressure or obligation, but as a freely chosen invitation. Participation was entirely optional. To support those who were interested, I offered a resource with accessible ways to reflect, pray, fast, and practice generosity.
My hope was that those who chose to participate might notice where they are growing in love, patience, compassion, and mercy. My hope was that this season might offer each of us a chance to make a little more space in our lives to reconnect with ourselves, with one another, and with the values that ground us and give our lives meaning and direction.
If you or someone you know would be interested in journeying through this sacred season with us at L’Arche Chicago, I encourage you to consider jumping into the rhythms provided in the resource below. And may you, too, experience growth.
40 Days of Intention Guide