Just as in Advent we prepare for Christmas, Lent is also a time for preparation. Lent is a time for reflection, time for analysis, time for honestly valuing our attitudes, our decisions, our commitment.
It is time to talk with ourselves and with God in prayer, sincerely, honestly, without cheating ourselves with excuses, or justifying our actions. It is time to recognize who we are without fear; of looking ourselves in the mirror, even though sometimes we may not like what we see.
We know that God does not punish, that He is always merciful. Let’s not be afraid, then, to recognize who we really are, remembering that we are all in the same boat. We are not divided in “good ones” versus “bad ones”, pure and impure, first or second-class citizens. We all share the same human condition, and through it we are all capable of acting generously and make the world a better place.
Likewise, we all have our miseries, our selfishness. Each one of us must discover these two dimensions. If I only see the negative aspects of myself and nothing positive, I will have to look deeper into my heart, and learn how to be kind to myself. On the other hand, if I only see my own qualities but it is hard for me to see also my miseries, I am deceiving myself and I fail to see myself honestly. Sometimes we need other people who with love, understanding and respect will tell us what we should improve in our lives, especially those who live with us and know us.
We invite you, then, to live Lent as a time of reflection, not to be depressed or full of despair as we face our own selfishness or those of others, but as a time to get ready so that when Easter comes, when we celebrate that Life has conquered death through Jesus’ Resurrection, we can do it in a healthy manner, accepting our virtues in order to strengthen them, and also our weaknesses so that it may be easier to address them.
Happy Lent!
