It is hard to believe that we are now roughly 70 days away from Easter which means that Lent is quickly approaching. The time for us to place our focus upon this season is now. If we prepare ourself now we will be ready once Lent finally gets here on the 1st Wednesday of March. We would thus be found vigilant to the point that the Lenten season would be fruitful for us.
Our Gospel puts this urgency into perspective through the giving of the Beatitudes. Through this list we are told how one will be blessed, but are also given the opposite. In other words we must apply ourself to a life of faith in order that we may obtain a relationship with God. This relationship also includes those around us who we must treat mercifully. If we cannot treat others as Christ would treat them we are found lacking.
Lent is one way in which we can challenge ourself to grow in such virtue. Throughout this season we take up the actions of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving in order that we may grow in those areas which are necessary in order that we may love God and neighbor.
Such actions must be mindfully done through the direction of prayer instead of being mindless actions which bring forth no change within us. To give up something for the sake of giving up something changes us in no way with the coming of Easter. Through our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving we should be growing in our love for God and neighbor by overcoming those vices which run rampant in our life.
From Rule of Saint Benedict the monk is told, “During these days, therefore, let us increase somewhat the usual burden of our service, as by private prayers and abstinence in food and drink. Thus everyone of his own will may offer God ‘with joy of the Holy Spirit’ something above the measure required of him. From his body, that is, he may withhold some food, drink, sleeping, talking, and jesting; and with the joy of spiritual desire he may look forward to holy Easter.”
Therefore, may this quickly approaching season of Lent assist us in heading the call to follow after the Lord. Wherever something has gained mastery over us we ought to master it for the sake of the Kingdom to which we have been called. Through such freedom we are able to grow in our love for God and neighbor.
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