With each liturgical season it is important that we make preparations as the time draws near for the particular time of year. If we want to make a season as meaningful as possible for us, we approach it with forethought. We look for its arrival with anticipation.
Lent, in the experience of some, may be a bit more difficult in this regard. There are some for whom Lent carries a negative connotation. This need not, nor should it, be so. Lent may be approached as an opportunity to prepare ourselves for a more meaningful experience of Easter.
The important thing about Lent, which some may have overlooked or perhaps have never really considered, is that it affords us an opportunity to get to know Jesus. Sure, it's a time of prayer, penance, and giving alms. It's also a time when we give give up something or do something special. However, among all the pious activities that we may choose to do during Lent, we should make a commitment to get better acquainted with the side of Jesus who has the power to make a difference in the world.
It may be that Lent will afford us a good chance this year to know the Lord through scripture study and prayer. It may be that we will choose to reflect more on his life and its meaning. It may be that events in our everyday lives will reveal something to us about the one we call Lord.
As I mentioned in my last post, I want to explore more thoroughly the idea of Jesus as a contradiction to the expectations and presuppositions that we may already hold. Knowing Jesus gives us a chance to see clearly beyond the meanings we put on things (sometimes unknowingly). This year my hope is that the season bring us closer to the Jesus who gives the world a strongly contrasting alternative.
I know that I am getting started a little early. Often it helps us to reach our goal when we have thought things out ahead of time. If we want to take a challenge to let Lent change us this year, we need to begin making preparations. We need to be open to allow Christ to challenge what we may hold already. We also open our hearts to the movement of the Holy Spirit. We become able to surrender ourselves as pliable clay in the hands of the potter.
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