Anticipating the Joy of Easter

In less than a couple of weeks we will enter into the season of Lent.  Pope Benedict XVI, in his Message for Lent 2012 writes, "The Lenten season offers us once again an opportunity to reflect upon the very heart of Christian life: charity. This is a favourable time to renew our journey of faith, both as individuals and as a community, with the help of the word of God and the sacraments. This journey is one marked by prayer and sharing, silence and fasting, in anticipation of the joy of Easter."

 

I am personally looking forward to this particular Lenten season for a couple of reasons.  First, I am in need of a renewal of my mind, heart and soul.  In my recent prayer I have been reminded of my fraility - of the reality that I am nothing without God.  This poignant reminder has fueled a desire in me to go deeper in my relationship with Christ this Lent and to abandon myself, as thoroughly as possible, to His amazing grace.  In order to do this I need more of Him, which can only be obtained through embracing the opportunity Pope Benedict reminds us of above.

 

The second reason for my anticipation is due to the blessed journey I have had this year catechizing six adults in my parish who are preparing to enter into the Catholic Church this Easter. I have been humbled by their desire to learn and by their authentic longing to receive the Sacraments, especially to receive the Eucharist.  Of course the Lenten season is such an important part of their journey and I thank God for offering me the opportunity to have a front row seat as He works so powerfully in their lives.

 

And there is the catch.  In order for me to truly serve my brothers and sisters in guiding them to grow in their knowledge of Christ - to abandon themselves to Him - I, too, must surrender to Him more completely this Lent.  I need to strip myself of all that might prevent me from being an instrument of God's love so that I may serve them as they deserve.  It needs to be much less about me and more about the One who is the Light of the World and source of the great joy that we will celebrate this Easter.

 

May all of us rededicate ourselves to such an abandonment this Lent.  May we remember to pray for each other for the fortitude to enter into the season with great conviction.  May we offer ourselves as "a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God" that we might serve our brothers and sisters with great charity. 

 

Let this be our prayer for one another as we prepare to enter into this beautiful season.  And join me in remembering in a special way all those who are drawing ever so closer to entering into our beautiful Catholic Church - something that should truly fill us with great joy!

By Michael Lavigne