Lenten Period commences with Ash Wednesday. It is the period of 40days which comes before the Easter in Christian calendar. This period portrays the understanding that we have wandered the wilderness, found ourselves in darkness and remorsefully making our way to God, with hope of welcoming the resurrection light.
Because of the resurrection, everything changes. Because of the resurrection, we have a hope in the truth that Jesus has come to reconcile and restore all of creation to himself. Personally, I often find Lent to be a struggle; I usually like to set goals and achieve them. Typically, this translates into making lofty Lenten resolutions, trying to rid myself of every bad habit, and ending up disappointed and disheartened when I fallshort.
Instead of thinking about what should be giving up for Lent or doing with what has been resolved, I reflected on how I can allow this Lent to be a season of growth and lasting fruit. Shifting my focus and directing my attention to the fruit that God wants my life to bear, opening up to the possibility of new life. It became apparent to me that the Lenten journey is not about achieving something on my own merits. It is the Lord, the sower, who scatters seed generously and brings forth new life.
Pruning all that is unhealthy is an important part of the growing process, yet one’s focus is not on what one should be left behind. When we set our eyes on the good fruits God is bringing about, we maintain a much healthier perspective. Instead of getting caught up in feelings of defeat or failure for missing the mark, Lent can truly prepare us for the newness of life that we celebrate in a special way during the Easter season.
Lenten resolutions are a good and worthwhile practice, focusing on the key tenets of lent – Prayer, Abstinence, Fasting and Almsgiving; but we must be careful not to lose sight of their greater purpose. The practice is not about giving up something as if that were the end in itself. The practice of giving up ‘sweets’ or putting limits on our binge-watching is not simply about an exercise of willpower rather, they are meant to open up something more in us. Instead of seeing our Lenten resolutions as a “no” to something, we can see them as a “yes” to caring for our well-being, a “yes” to more time for prayer and meaningful conversation with friends and family. These are the lasting fruits toward which such disciplines are intended. But how do we live in the light of this truth? How do we live in this tension of seeing the brokenness of creation around us, yet trusting in the hope that God will one day restore it all?
As we continue our Lenten journey, let us not grow impatient at the weeds that crop up and threaten our good intentions. Let us not grumble or overreact when we stumble. Rather than giving in to feelings of defeat and failure, let us allow God’s grace to take root in us and renew us so that we may bear fruit that will remain, no matter how great or small it may be…the joy of the resurrection is the guaranteed hope of our redemption…Please do leave a fruitful lent and see you on the resurrection morning. #EMBA28
Nature of Human Beings