On Wednesday, February 22, 2012, the Christian world will enter into the holy season of Lent. The word “Lent” comes from an old Germanic word meaning “Springtime.” The season of Spring always brings forth new life, the days are longer, the temperature gets warmer, the snows melt (if there is any this year), and the rains nourish the budding vegetation.
Like the season of its namesake, Lent is a time of renewal and refreshing. It is a forty day retreat, if you will, getting us ready to celebrate the greatest gift of God, namely, “Life to its fullness.” Through the Passion, Death, & Resurrection of Jesus the Christ, God says NO to death and yes to LIFE. Lent prepares us to enter more fully into this great mystery and this great LIFE.
There are three aspects or “pillars” on which the season of Lent is built. These pillars are enunciated by Jesus himself in the Gospel of St. Matthew. On Ash Wednesday, in the Catholic Tradition, we hear Jesus tell any disciple of his that it is important to do spiritual things for the benefit of our relationship with God, not for the approval or envy of other people. The first pillar Jesus talks about is fasting, the second is alms-giving and the third is prayer.
Fasting is a hallmark of the spiritual life. Fasting is about sacrifice and letting go of unnecessary and unimportant things. Fasting reminds us, as Jesus quotes in Matthew’s gospel, “not on bread alone does mankind live, but on every Word that comes from the mouth of God.” Fasting helps to move away from false attachments and focus our attention what truly matters.
Alms-giving is likewise a hallmark of the spiritual life. Alms-giving is about generosity and caring for our brothers and sisters on the journey of life. Alms-giving reminds us that it’s not just about us; that the human race, in fact the entire environment, is interconnected and sharing the gifts God has given us helps all on the way to the Kingdom of God.
Prayer also is a hallmark of the spiritual life. Prayer is about sustaining a relationship with God. Prayer has many expressions. Prayer is a reminder of our needs. Prayer is meditative-residing in the peace and serenity that is our God. Prayer is awareness provoking-allowing us to realize the great gifts of God surrounding us constantly. Prayer is personal and corporate-”where two or three are gathered in my name,” says Jesus, “there am I in their midst.” Prayer is always grateful-giving thanks for the immense bounty that God has and will always provide.
These three pillars are concrete actions we can take to enter into and participate in the ever unfolding of the God of Love and Life. They open us up to a change of heart and a meltdown of the frozen sterile parts of our life. As we look forward to those longer days of warmth that makes Spring a time of awakening so let the season of Lent bring the light of Christ in those dark cold places that keep us apart from one another and from our God.