It is hard to believe that Lent will start this Wednesday. It will be on Ash Wednesday that we will be told, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return” as the minister traces the cross upon your forehead through the use of ashes.
These should be striking words because they make reference to the reality of death. As Christians we should approach the reality of death through the lens of hope. Nevertheless, despite the hope that we have death is still something which is scary, there are those who see no hope within it, and those who want to ignore it at all costs. No matter how hard that we try to escape it’s grasp it is something that we can never escape. As the Latin phrase goes “memento mori” “remember your death.”
As Sacred Scripture informs us, “Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” These words give new hope to the reality of death. To think if all we knew was the sin of Adam and Eve. If this were the truth we would have nothing to hope for. It is through Christ and what He offers upon the cross that redeems us. It is due to the cross and eventual resurrection that we are given hope. The gates to the Kingdom of Heaven are opened wide due to the fact that Christ has died for us.
Saint Paul further reminds us that “the sting of death is sin.” We must remember this reality as we head into Lent. If we live for Christ there is nothing for us to fear for we have directed our life on this earth towards the coming of the Kingdom. Others allow themselves to live for the here and now and allow the reality of sin to creep into their life. No matter how deeply entrenched a sin may be within our life through Christ there is always the hope of liberation. To die in the state of grace is to move towards the Kingdom of Heaven. Truly, death has no sting for those who truly live their life for Christ.
Lent serves as the perfect opportunity to redirect our life towards Christ. After all Christ entered into the baroness of a desert in order too fast and pray. Despite the baroness of the desert true life came to be known for Christ rejected temptation, entered into His public ministry, and came to die for our salvation. Throughout Lent we should also come to fast, pray, and give alms in order that we may separate ourself from sin and live for Christ.
It is sin which brings about the reality of death, but through living for Christ Jesus we have the hope of Heaven. The very fact that from the tomb sprung forth the Resurrection of the Lord signals to us the same hope of the life which is to come. Let us use this time which has now been set before us in order to live not for the world, but for Christ Jesus. If we reform our life and live for Christ Jesus death will have no victory and it will have no sting. Let us live for the Lord always and put to death all that keeps us from Him.
No comments:
New comments are not allowed.