Lent 2008

Lent is an amazing time in the Church year. Supplementing the learned elements of fasting, praying and alms giving, Lent provides a wonderful opportunity to try again to get things right - to make changes. This year it arrived early and right on the tail end of all those New Year's resolutions that have gone by the wayside. Instead of gloom and doom, I approach Lent each year with a great joy, knowing that I can once again meet Jesus as part of the crowds that follow him, to hear the gospels with new ears, and, maybe, just maybe, this time I will experience a real metanoia. Life is a struggle. Life within the Church is a struggle - for all of us, for different reasons. Many times along my faith journey I would feel spiritually inadequate, especially when faced with charismatic individuals. I would wonder if I ever would feel faith with their intensity - maybe, I was just not good at religion. Then, one Lent, I read the Prayer Experience by Mark Link S.J., and my whole way of thinking was set on end. I just recently reread this book and I am amazed at how such a simple little book can be so profound. This books points out that God's presence is within us - all the time, whether we are aware or not. This is such an amazing "duh" moment for me every time I read this. I always was waiting for that BIG moment when I would FEEL and EXPERIENCE the presence of God in my life in very PAPARAZZI kinds of ways. I thought, "aha" when I feel God in this way I will know that I am a changed woman and that I have found the real spiritual enlightenment and my faith journey will be elevated to a new level. How wonderful for me, right? WRONG. I know now that each and every ordinary day is made extraordinary just by knowing God is within me - that his voice is there all the time speaking to me even though I am distracted, even though I am blindsided by struggles. Lent provides a time to let go of the distractions and remember who resides within. It's a time to let Him love me completely, to let him hold my hurts and joys with equal measure. It's a time to listen to his voice within. "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him!" Speak Lord, your servant is listening.