Dear Family of God,
Just a few days ago we started the holy season of Lent by celebrating Ash Wednesday. The purpose of the Lenten season is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ - his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial, and resurrection. During this season, many Christians observe a period of fasting, repentance, moderation, self-denial, and spiritual discipline. Some also take on a Lenten discipline, like reading the Bible and spending more time in prayer to draw nearer to God.
The 40-day period of Lent is based on two episodes of spiritual testing in the Bible: the 40 years of wilderness wanderings by the Israelites after the exodus from Egypt (Numbers 33:38 and Deuteronomy 1:3) and the Temptation of Jesus after he spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness (Mathew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13). In the Bible, the number 40 holds special significance in the measurement of time, and many other important events revolve around it. During the flood, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights (Genesis 7:4, 12, 17; 8:6). Moses fasted on the mountain for 40 days and nights before God gave the Ten Commandments (Exodus 24:18; 34:28; Deuteronomy 9). The reconnoiters spent 40 days in the land of Canaan (Numbers 13:25; 14:34). The prophet Elijah traveled for 40 days and nights to reach the mountain of God in Sinai (1 Kings 19:8). Let us make our 40 days special.
We are all waiting for Spring to come. Lent is like a spiritual “Spring Cleaning”. After a long winter indoors, we long to throw open the windows and clean the house of unwanted dirt and dust. Lent urges us to do the same. What are the unwanted habits that you want to eliminate from your life? What are the certain behavioral patterns that make you less than the perfect Christian does? The way to answer these questions is through reflection and prayer. Older Catholics speak of a type of Lent where music and television were put on hold for the season. Although this practice has faded, we must discover our own peace and quiet during Lent. The only way to reveal the interior life is through silence. Separate from the chaos and surrender to prayer. Put yourself in the presence of God and just talk to Him.
St. Mother Theresa once said: "As Lent is the time for greater love, listen to Jesus' thirst...'Repent and believe' Jesus tells us. What are we to repent? Our indifference, our hardness of heart. What are we to believe? Jesus thirsts even now, in your heart and in the poor -- He knows your weakness. He wants only your love, wants only the chance to love you."
Fr. Binu Joseph