No one really enjoys being told what to do, yet this statement is an invitation from the Church to take up the Cross of Christ and enter into the yearly spiritual retreat known as Lent. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, February 18, when devoted followers of Christ will begin a spiritual program of prayer, fasting and almsgiving for 40 days. Are you ready to walk with Christ during these upcoming days of penance and self-denial? Blessed ashes will be placed on our foreheads as a sacred sign that we are mortal and in need of spiritual help. Lent concludes with the celebration of the Passover of the Lord as the Church recalls the Passion, Death and the Resurrection of Christ during Holy Week. So the call of Lent is to “repent” and “believe” in the Gospel so that we may share fully in the Victory of Christ over sin and death.
I am reminded of a sermon I gave on Ash Wednesday many years ago in which I used my last name, PFAU, as a key to observing Lent and as a way to remember the ingredients of a good Lent. The letter “P” stands for “Prayer”, which could be carried out in a private, public or liturgical manner. Jesus spent long hours in prayer and went off to the mountains and hills just to communicate with his heavenly Father. His prayer time sustained Him for the difficult times when was on trial and put to death. “F” stands for “Fasting” which means to give up something or some behavior that is contrary to the Teachings of Christ. “A” stands for “Almsgiving”, which is designed to support the work of the Church in its mission to the poor and the needy. The letter “U” reminds s that these these three ingredients of Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving are to be adopted by “Us”, by “U”and by “ME”and apply them to our own lives.
Yes, Lent is here and is a unique opportunity to grow closer to the Lord and away from the worldly things that have absorbed us this past year. With the help of your church community and opportunities for sharing the Word of God, you will learn to die with Christ and experience a new life of grace and friendship in the Lord. Check your church bulletins and use the resources available for Lent online. Let this be the best Lent of your life and God will bless you in ways like never before. Hear the voice of Christ who speaks this bold invitation to you and everyone who is searching for his Peace: “Repent and Believe in the Gospel!”
Leave a Reply