Pondering Lent

We know that Lent is the season of the church year during which we draw closer to God in preparation for Christ’s resurrection at Easter. Prayer, fasting and almsgiving (sacrifice), the three pillars of Lent, are intended to increase our reliance on Jesus and open space in our hearts for God to fill.

Honestly, I’m not yet ready for Lent as the seasons of the Church year seem to come and go much faster than I remember in my younger years.  My memories of Lent from those days were about fasting before Mass followed by hot chocolate and donuts and crying during the Friday stations of the cross because of how much Jesus suffered for us.  The traditions that made Lent special included the mark of ashes on my forehead that fell into my eyes while trying not to brush them off, a lack of success at giving something up because I could never settle on what to give up, and the best part was serving the Parish fish fry on Fridays because as a server I sometimes received tips from the older parishioners.  Lent was different from the other seasons.

Ashes reminding us that “from dust we came to dust we shall return,” liturgy, the confession of sins (we don’t have to wait for a special day to confess our sinfulness), the Gospel Message reflecting on Christ’s passion, suffering and death on the cross, and receiving his gift of self to us in the Eucharist, remain the same.  So why do I not feel ready for Lent this year?  Because my heart aches for the world we live in.  I feel sad, angry, discouraged, and disappointed about the way the world is.  I want Jesus’ life, passion, suffering and death to right the wrongs we create, to end homelessness, racism, gun violence and wars.   One thing that lifts me up these days, however, is a song by Colleen Fulmer, the refrain which is “Just to be is a blessing, just to live is holy.  Just to be, just to live is a blessing, is holy.” 

Whatever we do, Lent ought to be a time for us to develop a closer relationship with Jesus and he with us.

Now as I ponder it, this Lent I need to focus my attention on Jesus, to meditate on him, to accompany him with compassion through his suffering, so as “to know him more intimately, to love him more intensely and to follow him more closely,” looking at Jesus looking at me with love. Our justification before God is not in our attempt to appease Him through prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  It is our faith in Him that brings us to peace and a deeper relationship with Him.  Whatever we do, Lent ought to be a time for us to develop a closer relationship with Jesus and he with us.

Remembering to give God thanks and praise for every holy moment that comes my way during this grace-filled season, I believe that God desires to give us something new. Ready for that something new, I’m more ready for this Lenten season than I thought.