Dear Friends,
I was in a conversation with some friends last week about one of those odd Catholic disciplines, the Lenten Fish Fry. Odd because we are to have a special fast on the Fridays of Lent, and we do that by eating and drinking a lot! Even in conversation with our new Archbishop, he mentioned that he likes to eat at Pasta Amore and was wondering what they did for Lent, and they said the lobster stuffed raviolis were popular. As he joked, “It will be such a penance…”
The Sundays of Lent are not considered part of Lent by the church because every Sunday is a celebration of Easter. Perhaps, we in the Midwest have decided that the Fridays of Lent are also a part of the resurrection. We turn what was meant to be a burden into a joy! Lent is a bit unique. Lent is a sacred time devoted to fasting and scarcity, a time of discipline, and the church asks things of our time, our stomachs, and our habits that are uncommon throughout the rest of the year. That is what sets Lent apart.
Perhaps we too often separate Lent and Easter. We decide to do something during Lent such as being more charitable, prayerful, or disciplined, and then we do not continue the practice past the forty days. Lent is not meant to be outside the normal cadence of time; it is a part of it. The choices for self-discipline during Lent are equally as sacred as the feasting and celebration of Easter and beyond. The tradition of the church does not separate Good Friday and the Resurrection—both are necessary for salvation. Lent is on equal footing with other liturgical seasons; it is good as the joyful seasons, Easter and Christmas, are good.
Lent is in the liturgical calendar to remind us that the cross is our way of life. Jesus tells us to take up our cross and follow him. We live both as refugees suffering in a world full of sin and as children of God who are called out of the world. Lent is our path to living a resurrected life. Lent’s fasting and charity are meant to heal us through repentance. Lent teaches us that our bodies can help us repent. Lent reminds us that we, as John the Baptist proclaimed to the Pharisees, can “produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.”
May I suggest then that whatever you decide to do this Lent should be something that you would want to make permanent in your life. Rather than looking forward to returning to it again after Easter, it could be gone from your life. Let your Lenten discipline be something that leads you to the Resurrection. Do not just pray during Lent, pray every day. Stop cussing – permanently. Go to confession. Go to Mass during the week. Say a rosary – often. Read your bible. Eat healthy.
Lent begins on Wednesday. May its grace last forever.
Fr. Damian