It always strikes me how many people “celebrate” Lent. Ash Wednesday Masses and services are always packed with people. Do that many people focus on the fact that they “are dust and to dust they shall return”? When we think about it, there is something special about this season that draws us away from ourselves for six weeks. It seems the human person is always attracted to goods such as being selfless or acting for other people. It is this good that the human person seeks which brings us away from ourselves and toward the ultimate good, God the Father.
When the word ‘Lent’ is spoken, people automatically have certain assumptions and associates to go along with it. For us Catholics, we immediately are reminded of abstaining from meat on Fridays and the ever popular “giving something up.” Lent should be more than the sacrifice itself, however. Lent is a season, not an action. It is a timeframe in which we can come to a greater appreciation for the things we are blessed with. It is a time when we can allow ourselves to take our focus off of our belly-buttons and turn it outward. Moreover, Lent is not just about fasting, but about slowing down.
Of the many types and forms of prayer we can experience, meditation and contemplation are vital to a relationship with Jesus Christ. These types of prayer allow us to slow down and they enlighten us about how we can fast. For someone who is constantly on the go, fasting can mean taking time away from their schedule to pray, go to Mass, or visit a family member. For others, fasting can take the form of going to confession weekly or giving up their favorite TV show. Whatever you sacrifice frees time for you to slow things down and meditate on what this season is all about.
For many, the season of Lent is a reminder of “sad” or “difficult” things. Many would argue that we should focus our attention of Easter Sunday and not Good Friday. However, there would be no Easter Sunday without a Good Friday. There is no resurrection without death. There is no eternal life without expiation for our sins. Therefore, it is important to reflect on the darkness so that we can come to a fuller appreciation and desire for the light. We must take this time to slow down, reflect on Christ’s temptation-our temptations, Christ’s passion-our passion, and then go and fast.
