We have now entered into this time that has been set beside before Lent to better assist us in our preparation for the Lenten season. Therefore, we notice that the priest already begins to wear violet vestments, that the Gloria has been suppressed, and that we no longer use the Alleluia. These all serve as reminders that very soon we will arrive at the season of Lent where we will come to fast and to offer sacrifice. There should be no shock and lack of preparedness on the behalf of the faithful when we arrive at Ash Wednesday because we begin to prepare our heart and soul now for this encounter now.
As we were instructed in our Epistle: “I so fight, not as one beating the air; but I chastise my body.” It also stated, “And everyone that striveth for the mastery refraineth himself from all things: and they indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible one.” This Epistle attests to the importance of the Lenten season. Fasting is more then developing self control because it is a means towards spiritual and physical purification. The one who fasts begins to order their body unto the Lord and thus that incorruptible crown of Heaven.
So often we are afraid to do what is necessary to obtain the Kingdom of Heaven and to place it first within our life. There are those who are so entrapped that they see no way forward in the midst of this vale of tears. There are those who are so caught up that they do not realize that the Lord is calling them towards something greater. Our Gospel perfectly attests to this and encourages each of us towards the virtue of hope, the reality of something more, and the importance of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Therefore, in this Gospel we see those who were called at various stages of life, but all received the same wage. In other words those who have repented, came to know the Lord, and died serving Him in this life. They were given the incorruptible crown of Heaven. With a true spirit of hope and love we must also strive for this same incorruptible crown. In doing so we must ask what keeps us from obtaining this incorruptible crown and thus where must we grow in the spiritual life?
Lent serves as the answer that arises due to this question. So often we minimilize Lent to something simple that requires no thought on our part or we just forgot about it entirely. Hopefully this will not be so of us as we embark upon this sacred season of Lent. In 17 days time we will arrive at Ash Wednesday and thus the Lenten season. It is this season which serves as a spring time of faith for us and all those who enter into it. May we fully come to prevail ourself to this season and allow it to transform our life in Christ Jesus and to orient us towards the Kingdom of Heaven.
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