Lent

How is your Lenten season going so far?  For some of us it’s been an amazing spiritual journey and extremely rewarding.  For others of us it’s been a journey filled with bumps in the road.  Perhaps you’ve found yourself struggling during this Lenten season and you wonder why.  “Why is life throwing me curve balls, God?  Especially when I am trying to discipline myself and participate in Lent!  I just don’t get it, Lord.”  If you find yourself struggling with things–mental, emotional, financial, spiritual, physical–here’s a quick quote from our friend Henri Nouwen that might be of help.  He reminds us that perhaps it is we who are struggling who have the greatest potential for benefiting from Lent: “How often have I lived through these weeks [of Lent] without paying much attention to penance, fasting, and prayer?  How often have I missed the spiritual fruits of the season without even being aware of it?  But how can I ever really celebrate Easter without observing Lent?  How can I rejoice fully in your Resurrection when I have avoided participating in your death?  Yes, Lord, I have to die–with you, through you, an din you–and thus become ready to recognize you when you appear to me in your Resurrection.  There is so much in me that needs to die: false attachments, greed and anger, impatience and stinginess…. I see clearly now how little I have died with you, really gone your way and been faithful to it.  O Lord, make this Lenten season different from the other ones.  Let me find you again.  Amen.”