Lent is many things. It commemorates the 40 days Jesus spent
in the desert. "He remains in the desert for 40 days tempted
by Satan." (Mark 1:12). He fasts for 40 days and 40 nights."
(Matthew 4:2) For catechumens, those men and women seeking the
sacrament of Baptism at Easter, it is a time of intense spiritual
preparation. For the baptized, it is a time of deeper conversion.
No matter how long one has been a Christian, there is always need
for a more perfect configuration of one's life to that of Jesus.
No one can claim that the process is complete. The scripture
readings at Mass during the first three weeks of Lent speak of
conversion, mutual forgiveness, love of enemies and the call to
holiness.
A man once told me he wanted to go to confession but he could
not think of any sins. I advised him to ask his wife. I felt
certain she could help him. Sometimes we are blind to our sins,
but they are there. Lent is a time for seaching one's soul.
The readings for the final three weeks of Lent present us with
the mystery of Christ, our Savior. What cannot be accomplished
by human efforts is graciously offered through the life, death
and resurrection of the Lord. Lent is a prelude to Easter, just
as this life is a prelude to the life of the resurrection.
On Ash Wednesday, the optional prayer for the blessing of ashes
reads: "Lord bless these ashes by which we show that we are
dust. Pardon our sins and keep us faithful to the discipline
of Lent. For you do not want sinners to die, but to live with
the risen Christ.'
Our Lenten journey begins in faith and is marked by the penitential
works of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. It begins
with the darkness within us and ends with the light that is Christ.