Lent begins this Wednesday, February 22. Lent is the liturgical season of (roughly) forty days that prepares us for the Easter Triduum—the passion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “Lent is the primary penitential season in the Church’s liturgical year, reflecting the forty days Jesus spent in the desert in fasting and prayer.” Lent is an intense moment of the Church’s penitential practice “particularly appropriate for spiritual exercises, penitential liturgies, pilgrimages as signs of penance, voluntary self-denial such as fasting and almsgiving, and fraternal sharing (charitable and missionary works).” (CCC 1438)
If we extract some words from these Catechism quotes we get a better sense of what Lent is about: “Primary penitential season,” “reflecting the forty days Jesus spent in the desert in fasting and prayer,” and “intense moment”. All this tells me Lent is not just another season where we decorate things differently, but it really should be intense like when Jesus fasted in the desert 40 days. That word “intense” strikes me. We might not be as intense as Jesus eating nothing for 40 days, but Lent should feel really challenging to us. Particular ways we might engage penance are: Fasting—giving up things; Prayer—praying more, attending daily Mass, Adoration, retreats, doing spiritual exercises; and by Almsgiving—sharing of our time, talent, and treasure to help those in need. Consider how you will bring intensity to your Lent this year!
The catechism also mentions pilgrimages. I am blessed to be leaving on pilgrimage to the Holy Land with almost 20 parishioners (and a group of about 85 total) the day after Ash Wednesday. We will visit Bethlehem, Nazareth, Galilee, Jerusalem, and more as we walk and pray in the places Jesus walked. How intense is that! I wish you all could come with me. I will pray for you all there, and if you have any intentions please let me know or write your intentions in a special book we have in the church vestibule.
Let’s get ready for an INTENSE Lent. May God be with you all as we enter this Holy Season!
Peace,
Fr. Greg