From Our Spiritual Advisor:
Dear Sinners,
As Lent begins and ashes are traced on our foreheads, we acknowledge that we have not always lived up to the lofty promises made at the time of our baptism. It doesn't make sense, does it? The Lord offers us authentic joy, meaning and purpose in life, inner freedom, love without end, and a share in divine life -- all that our hearts ultimately long for. We start off with so much going for us because of baptism ... and yet, here we are, all too soon in the same mess: straying in other directions, forgetting who we are and whose we are. (Sigh)
What must we do to get back to that original grace and fervor of Baptism? The Muslims have something comparable to Lent in Ramadan, the month of strict fasting from dawn till dusk. We need an annual opportunity to take a serious look at ourselves and to size up how we are or aren't growing more Christ-like in our attitudes and behaviors. We need the discipline of Lenten practices to restore our alertness to what really matters in life. It's like getting the car serviced or the piano tuned or getting new lenses in our glasses. We "run" better because of Lent. We look more like the followers of Christ we desire to be and promised to be at the time of our baptism.
Lent began in the Church as a way for the whole People of God to join the Elect during these last six weeks of their preparation for baptism. Inspired by the zeal of these people, we use Lent as a time to get our hearts ready to renew our own Baptismal promises at Easter.
Lent is also a perfect time to regain some self-discipline and self control if we've become self-indulgent or just too spiritually lazy for our own good. We may make a promise to do something or to avoid something for 40 days, to "get us back in shape" physically, emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, etc. I call that the "endurance mode" of Lenten sacrifice. When Lent is over, our plans are over as well. But the discipline, the “spring training” has been good for us. We're probably most accustomed to this type of Lenten practice.
There is, however, another approach to Lenten practice. We can take a serious and honest look at ourselves, at our good and bad habits, the particular weakness in us that so easily deteriorates into sin. We let God reveal our own "darkness" to us and then we ask for help to think of one practice that, if we do it regularly for about six weeks, we will have formed a good habit and will continue with it after Lent. I call that the "conversion mode" of Lenten sacrifice. It’s up to us individually, following the Spirit’s prompting, to decide which form of Lenten sacrifice we most need to be renewed in our baptismal commitment.
No matter what we decide to do, let’s do something! And surely, I do sense the efforts of so many of us to let go of sin and bad habits, and "seek the Lord." We all know that it’s easier to stay faithful to the task when we have the support of the rest of the community. That’s where group reunions and Ultreyas can be such a help. Don’t overlook the method we’ve been introduced to through Cursillo. We can use those sharing times to hold ourselves accountable to our efforts to change and to receive the encouragement we need to continue our openness to transformation.
Let’s not miss the grace of the journey!
May you have a very blessed Lent! Love and prayers,
Sr. Edna
