- Mathew 3:2
Lent is a time to recognize our sins. To see when we do not follow Christ's call and
live the life he calls us to. On Ash Wednesday, we remember our frailty, weakness and
mortality. We understand that our bodies are mortal, yet our souls are eternal. It is time
to think of what will happen to us when we do die. This death is a result of original sin,
and permeates all generations. "All have sinned and are deprived of the Glory of
God"(Rom 3:23).
Despite our failures, God still calls us with open arms to share in His glory. We are
like the prodigal son, lost and abandoned by our own pride. Only when we wake up and
realize the foolishness and weakness of our sins, can we truly return to happiness with
our Father. It doesn't matter how bad our sins are, he calls us to return to him and share
in his life.
"To save means to lift up and embrace with love - love that is always greater than any
sin" - John Paul II
We must not be too complacent in dealing with sin. We all sin, and can sympathize
with other sinners, but that doesn't make sin less dangerous, hideous or unacceptable.
Each and every sin has great and numerous effects on ourselves, God and others. One
example is lying. A lie first puts our own souls in danger, because it is an offense against
God who is truth, and calls us to act in truth. If we lie often, it becomes habitual leading
to more grave and numerous sins. Lying hurts others, because it hides truths from them
that they ought to know; without this information, they may make bad decisions. It can
lead to scandal, encouraging other people to lie. Lying can hurt your relationships, as
people will not trust you and thus not confide in you. Lying will make others angry at
you and possibly attempt to commit revenge hurting you and others. All this comes from
lying, a sin considered trivial by most people.
There are many things we can do, to help us return to God. I have listed some which I
feel are beneficial. (I do not practice all of these perfectly, nor do I expect others to.
They are only suggestions which I feel will help all people to make a better lent.)
1. Be aware of Sin and Evil - Today's society refuses to acknowledge the presence of
Satan in it's midst. He is still here, �prowling around like a lion, looking for someone to
devour.� (1 Pt 5:8) We as Christians must recognize this, avoid the evil one at all costs,
and make our best effort to reveal his presence to the world. He is still "a liar and father
of lies"(Jn 8:44), and his major weapon is deception. He will do anything to confuse and
trick people into believing that their sins will help them obtain liberty. In reality the
results are sorrow, fear and slavery.
One easy way to do this is to make an examination of conscience daily. This means to
think over the day, and recognize times where you failed to live in Christ's footsteps.
Familiarize yourself with the Ten commandments and the Church's moral teaching to
better recognize where you can improve. When you do find areas in which you sin often,
you can make appropriate measures to repent and change. Only by being aware, can we
defeat sin.
2. Personal Prayer - Prayer is the fountain of the religious life, and absolutely essential. It
means to "uplift one's mind and soul to God", and can take many forms. You can spend
time in praise and adoration. You can meditate on important times in Christ's life, and
our own. We can also use formal prayers, from the church and the saints. One of the
most freeing form of prayer is just to talk with God about the day. It is also important to
listen and hear what he has to say. (Conversation should be both ways) Over time, we can
get lazy, and forget to spend time with God on a regular basis. This lent, we can make
efforts to spend a little more time with God every day, to help strengthen our prayer lives.
3. Fasting - Fasting is to neglect oneself of temporal pleasure in order to build up grace.
It is a way of reorienting our lives which are so focused on the world and ourselves. By
refraining from things we enjoy, we can spend more time focusing ourselves on God and
His will. We can fast from food, Television, a special treat we enjoy, the internet etc.
The important thing is that it is not done in vain, but a true effort to return to God.
(It is required as a precept of the church, that all the faithful fast and abstain on Ash
Wednesday and Good Friday, and abstain from meat on all Friday's throughout the year.
A fast consists of eating only one regular meal, and two smaller ones that together do not
equal the larger one. In some countries, one may substitute other acts of piety
or charity on Fridays in place of abstinence - but not on Ash Wedsday or Good Friday)
4. Almsgiving/ Charity - We are called by God to give to those who need more. By
focusing on others need's rather than our own we help fulfill God's command to "love thy
neighbor". It can consist of: helping the disabled, aiding the elderly, donating to
charities, spending time with the poor. All charity is good, but only if done out of
genuine love, and not obligation.
5. Reconciliation - I think an important theme of the Jubilee year that our holy Father
has emphasized is reconciliation. As a church, efforts have been made to reconcile with
groups that have been hurt by various actions that many members of the church
committed in the past. It is important that we enter this lent with a desire to seek
reconciliation with those we have hurt.
6. The Sacraments - The Eucharist and Confession are essential to every person's life. If
you do not practice these sacraments on a regular basis, this lent would be a great time to
start. In the Mass Christ offers himself for all our sins, and in the host we receive every
grace we could imagine. In Confession, we are united to the cross again, and are healed
of each and every sin we committed as long as we confess them humbly. What better
fuel for the Lenten Christian? In these two sacraments, we are as near to the cross of
Christ as Mary and John were at Calvary.
7. Devotion to Mary - We should see Mary as our example this lent, immaculately
conceived, totally free from sin. By imitating her, we will definitely come closer to God.
She is the new eve, who has crushed the head of the serpent (see Gen. 3:16) Through her
intercession, we can conquer our sins and seek true life in Christ. "Holy Mary, Mother of
God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death"
Christ is calling us to repentance. Let�s respond.
�Behold, now is an excellent time; Behold now is the day of salvation.� (2 Co 6:2)
�Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me�
(Mt 16:24)
�Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?� (Jn 20:22)
Jason
March 15, 2000
This article may be copied for personal use , as long as the author is acknowledged.