Fr. John Writes: “The Spirit drove Jesus out into the wilderness, and he remained there for forty days.” (Mark 1)
There are forty days between today, the first Sunday of Lent, and Good Friday. This Lenten season reminds us of the forty days spent by Jesus in the wilderness at the beginning of his public ministry during which he was tempted by the devil. Jesus is united with us in our struggles against sin: “For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sinning.” (Hebrews 4:15).
Lent gives us an opportunity to turn again to the Lord and to become more like him. It is an opportunity to open our hearts to God; to close our hearts to temptations to indifference and self-sufficiency and open them to love God and those around us.
The Church recommends prayer, fasting and almsgiving as things to be embraced in the Lenten season.
Prayer allows us to make a special effort to talk to God and to listen to his call at this time. We don’t have to be in Church to pray – we can raise our hearts to God anywhere – at home, or perhaps as Spring begins to take hold, as we enjoy the outdoors.
Fasting or acts of self-denial or abstinence, challenge our desire for self-gratification; allowing us not to take for granted the gifts that we have received and to realise that we don’t have to buy or consume things to find happiness.
Almsgiving provides an opportunity for us to share from the abundance of our resources with those who are less fortunate. It reminds us that we show our love for God in how we care for others. We might find time to make a special effort to help someone we know personally by some act of charity or service.
May this Lent be for us a journey of true conversion, standing beside our brothers and sisters in need, embracing Christ’s victory over sin and death in our own lives.