The starkness of the church and the haunting chant of the Liturgy remind us of the somber and important tone of the Lenten Season. The violet vestments remind us of the penitential nature of the season, and point us ever forward to the death of Jesus on the cross. While this annual cycle of readings and liturgy may become routine in our lives, it should always be a reminder to us to take things deeper in our relationship with the Lord, and to take assessment of where we need conversion and growth in our lives.
As part of the Lenten program for the year, you will note the Prayer Wall in the narthex of the church. Further instruction is given in the bulletin as to how to incorporate this into our daily prayers. The Lenten Prayer Books are a good way to keep focused during the season. It is certainly not too late to pick one up and begin to read it each day. Similarly the Adoration Chapel, which remains open 24/7 offers a beautiful opportunity for prayer and to spend some quiet time with the Lord.
Of course, the Stations of the Cross – each Wednesday and Friday – also provide an opportunity for take the pilgrimage with the Lord. Join us on Wednesday’s for the Soup and Scripture – I have been working on a few new recipes – it is great for fellowship and to learn more about our faith walk.
Lent is a penitential time. It is a reminder that in order for us to grow in an area where we have need we must sacrifice in an area where we have excess. So we end up with several important realities pressing upon us. One is to sacrifice something we enjoy for a period of time as a spiritual discipline. As such, some people “give up” sweets, television, social media, etc., as a form of sacrifice. But we are also challenged to turn away from our sins. In this situation we might forego expressing our anger or frustration by abusing the Lord’s name, or we might reduce or eliminate some of the vices that have taken control of us, or lead us to sin. In this way, we experience growth. So, while we will certainly return – gladly – to enjoying sweets once the Lenten Season ends, we commit to refraining from those vices and sins as a permanent change of life.
Of course, there is also the challenge to do something more – here we take on, perhaps, a new act of prayer or charity. Sometimes that is seen as a sacrifice – e.g. to go to the Adoration Chapel every day during Lent – but then we do not continue that practice after Lent. Of course, and ideally, we are then drawn to some more regular experience of that prayer and we continue to engage in the practice anyway. Others will recommit themselves to something. Some who have grown lax in the practice of the faith over time, commit to returning to weekly Mass attendance, etc., and then continue this practice going forward.
Bishop O’Connell’s Lenten message was published in the bulletin a few weeks ago. Pope Francis, in his message, writes: “In this Lent of 2020, I would like to share with every Christian what I wrote to young people in the Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit: ‘Keep your eyes fixed on the outstretched arms of Christ crucified, let yourself be saved over and over again. And when you go to confess your sins, believe firmly in his mercy which frees you of your guilt. Contemplate his blood poured out with such great love, and let yourself be cleansed by it. In this way, you can be reborn ever anew.’ Jesus’ Pasch is not a past event; rather, through the power of the Holy Spirit it is ever present, enabling us to see and touch with faith the flesh of Christ in those who suffer.”