The Season of Lent
During this time, the Church reminds us that Lent is not just a time of suffering and sacrifice; it is a time of grace for discovering the great love God has for all of us. During Lent He calls us to return to His house, to follow His Son in our lives and to live in the Spirit, so that we can experience a conversion of our hearts. For this reason we say that Lent is:
A season of love that requires an examination of conscience, an acknowledgement of the times we have forgotten God and our neighbor, of our trespasses, and of negative thoughts and attitudes towards others.
A season to notice those things that preoccupy our daily lives, that distract us from a good cause, from justice, and especially from God.
A season of prayer, when we listen again to the voice of God within ourselves, in order to understand His story, love and Paschal Mystery; to go along with Him to Calvary; to transform our lives with His Resurrection; and to understand why Jesus continues dying on the Cross today because of our sins, indifference and lack of commitment.
A season to practice charity, by sharing our possessions and our knowledge, and by doing charitable deeds each day. It is not only about sharing our money, but it is about the times in our jobs, our schools and our homes when we are called to be better, to be signs of God’s love to our neighbors.
A season to live our Sunday Eucharist with the joy of being together in community, committed to hearing the Word of God, renewing our baptismal commitment and nourishing our souls with heavenly food: the Eucharist.
The season of Lent makes sense when we live with God’s love and allow it to transform our lives. Let us live this time as a grateful response to God’s invitation.
Father Fernando Torres