I fall short of the glory of God; there are areas in my life that need less me and more Jesus--times and circumstances where I think I can do it better and handle it without relying on God's grace. Inevitably, I stumble, fall, and sin.
The Church, in her infinite wisdom, sets aside this time of fasting, prayer and alms-giving as an opportunity to look deep inside, turn away from the things that keep us apart from our loving God, and turn toward a stronger relationship with Jesus.
My local church encouraged us to take a stone as we left church today. It is to be a reminder during this Lenten season of the ways in which we hold on to a hard or 'stoney' heart; it gives us a chance to ask what are the obstacles in my life that keep me from a deeper relationship with Jesus? What are the changes I need to make? How can I be more like Jesus in a world desperate for love?
When I was younger, I really didn't like Lent. It meant I had to give up something for almost six weeks (usually that was candy or ice cream), it meant we didn't eat meat on Fridays, it meant I attended daily mass with my dad, and it meant the church was bare and sparsely decorated. All in all I saw Lent as kind of a downer.
As I've grown in my faith and love for Jesus and as my understanding of the church year has deepened, I see Lent as a holy, special time. There are many opportunities for prayer and growth; for silence and simplicity; for change and renewal. It is a chance to say, yes I am a sinner, but it doesn't end there. I have a savior who loves me like no other, accepts me where I am and calls me, ever so gently, to be more of who He wants me to be.
That's what Lent is all about.
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