February 14th ,2010
The start of Lent
If you ask a lot of Catholics about what Lent is about, they’d probably talk about “giving up” something. They think that a “successful Lent” is one where they kept all their resolutions. So what do you think of THIS statement: “The renewal of our baptismal promises is the goal of Lent. All our Lenten activities should move us toward this goal.”
In fact Pope John Paul II once taught, “It is no exaggeration to say that the entire existence of the lay faithful has as its purpose to lead a person to a knowledge of the radical newness of the Christian life that comes from Baptism" (Lay Members of Christ's Faithful People, 10). (Read that sentence again a few times til it fully sinks in.)
So Lent isn’t about self-accomplishments but it’s really about renewing our relationship with Jesus in such a powerful way that we choose to become his disciples in a new way. Certainly our Lenten activities and prayer, fasting and doing good works (almsgiving) can help us to renew our Christian life. (For example, if we “give up” gossip, we’re better disciples; if we choose a special time to pray (listen) to God each day, we’re better disciples; if we share the blessings we have received with the church community and those in need, we are better disciples.
When we gather this Ash Wednesday and begin our forty-day retreat, let’s consider not just what we plan to “do” for Lent, but what we plan to BECOME.
We become ever more faithful disciples who reject temptation and evil (the first promises of our baptism); we become ever more faithful disciples whose belief in God our Father, Jesus our Savior and the Holy Spirit make us act and love more like the God we believe in.
It’s going to be a wonderful Lent as we experience the renewing power of God over these next forty days. Each Sunday will be a new opportunity to go deeper into our baptismal life. Let’s reach out to invite others to join us in our weekly celebrations of new life!
