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
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