Let us now look ahead.
If we were to look ahead we would ultimately conclude that our destination is that of Heaven. Unfortunately, there are many who fail to look ahead in this life. They allow themself to live in the here and the now without contemplating the truths of faith. Instead they become slaves to their own passions instead of being liberated through Christ Jesus.
If we are to look ahead we would also realize that very soon we will enter into the Sacred Season of Lent. It is this season which has been placed before us in order that we may be reminded of this ultimate destination of Heaven and the preparations which are necessary if we are to get there. The Lenten season assists us in contemplating the certainty of our own mortality. As our forehead is marked with ashes in the form of a cross: “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.”
Lent also sets out to renew within us that which was begun at the moment of our baptism. From our baptism we were welcomed into the life of the Church, the stain of original sin was washed away from our soul, and we were thus prepared for our ultimate destination of Heaven. The concept of Baptism is central to this season for this season is about renewal and being prepared to rejoice with Christ Resurrected through our celebration of Easter.
It was Saint Josemaria Escriva who exclaimed that “No ideal becomes a reality without sacrifice. Deny yourself. It is so beautiful to be a victim!” What we want to become a reality for ourself, is that of reaching our ultimate destination of Heaven. If we are so convinced with this ideal we must desire that it becomes a reality for all eternity. Some only want the concept of Heaven without striving for this goal each day.
It is through Lent that we have an opportunity to undergo “a time of penance, purification and conversion.” Lent should not be easy for us, but neither should being a Christian. So many Christians live life rejecting sacrifice which means that they want nothing to do with the cross of our Blessed Lord. The truth remains that “Christianity without the Crucifixion is not truly Christianity.”
As we enter into this Sacred Season of Lent may we come to embrace the crucifixion for ourself, not just in thought, but in deed. Now is the time to pray and reflect upon what we need to purge, what we need to surrender to the cross, during this season if we are to be a true follower of Christ who is striving for the ultimate destination of Heaven above all things. Practices such as fasting, almsgiving, and prayer assist of being liberated from all that holds us back.
