This could possibly be one of the best Lents that many of us will be making. Many of us have been living through stress and strain, and have suffered losses. During these past couple of years, because of the pandemic, there have been many complications and changes in our lives. Not only have our personal lives been affected by these circumstances, but unfortunately, for many of us, our spiritual life has also been affected.
The season of Lent can help us restore the joy, hope, and peace of mind that happens as we renew our relationship with God. Lent asks us to change, to repent. Lent provides us with an opportunity to examine what in our life stands between us and God. It could be something frivolous or something very debilitating, but it is in the way, and we are encouraged to address it and get rid of it.
O yes there is a deeper meaning for this season as it relates to the 40 days that the Hebrews spent as they left Egypt for the Promised Land. We know of their challenges, complaints. Or the 40 days that Jesus spent in prayer in the dessert. We have our own 40-days: Lent.
In the gospel today Jesus tells us what we can be doing to help possess a clean heart, a renewed spirit. He makes it quite simple: Pray, Fast, and give Alms. No need to reinvent the wheel.
When reading the selection from the prophet Joel I experienced a genuine excitement about what we are being asked to do as we begin our Lent. Blow the trumpet, call an assembly, notify the congregation, the elders, the children, brides, grooms, ministers, priests. I could almost picture the starting line for one of the marathons where thousands of people come together for a cause and run the race. Millions of people are joining us this Lent for a cause, our Salvation, responding to a call to convert to gospel values.
Throughout Lent the Scriptures will provide us with inspirational stories all leading to the same end: He is all we need. Jesus, you are all I need.
God, this Lent "change our hearts this time, your word says it can be. Change our mind this time, our life could make us free. We are the people your call sets apart. Lord, this time change our hearts."
