For us Catholics, the liturgical season of Lent started up this past Wednesday. I use to cringe every year around this time because Lent for me simply meant no TV. It wasn’t my choice. It was something my family did and I was forced to follow suit. In hindsight, it was probably good for me but at the time I struggled through it – just counting down the days until I could get back to my early morning Sportscenter.
Only in these past couple of years have I truly come to appreciate this most holy season in the Church. You see, I use to think that Lent was only about giving up stuff. Turns out…I was wrong. It is about returning our hearts to the Lord. Lent, at it’s essence, is a 40 day retreat. A time to pull us out of our everyday routines and prepare us for the biggest hoopla in the Church’s calendar, Easter.
So you may now be asking yourself, “What does giving up chocolate or TV have to do with preparing myself for Easter?” Good question. If you are just giving up sweets, or TV, or whatever just because you think that is the right thing to do, then it probably doesn’t do much for your preparation at all.
The Catholic Church teaches, “Jesus’ call to conversion and penance, like that of the prophets before him, does not aim first at outward works, “sackcloth and ashes,” fasting and mortification, but at the conversion of the heart, interior conversion. Without this, such penances remain sterile and false; however, interior conversion urges expression in visible signs, gestures and works of penance” – CCC 1430.
You see, its not about the stuff. It is about our hearts. This Lent, I hope you find the grace to return your heart to the Lord. Take some time to ask God what you may need to repent from and what He may be asking you to change in your life.
“Rend your heart and not your garments. Now return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving kindness” Joel 2:13
