Lent gives us 40 days to contemplate our relationship with God. We are given a chance to examine how our sins isolate us from His love and are called to repentance, to receive forgiveness for our sins in the sacrament of reconciliation. Jesus would often go out into the desert to pray. Lent is our “desert,” our time when we can be separated from our daily routine and be attentive to His promptings when we pray.
Lent calls us to change our routine. We start off receiving ashes as an external sign of our desire for repentance. We are called to fasting and abstinence, a chance to practice self-control as we examine our habits and look for spiritual vitality.
Lent reminds us of our need for Mercy. We enter into a blessed encounter with God when we reverently examine our consciences and confess our sins, partaking in the sacraments and opening up His boundless Mercy. As we awaken our desire for heaven, we are naturally drawn toward a deeper sense of the brevity of life and the length of eternity.
Brothers and Sisters, my prayer for you this season is that you may enter into a deeper relationship with God and be ready to receive His Mercy. May your Lenten observance remind you that His love for us is eternal.
Blessed Lent everybody and I’ll see you at Sunday Mass.