Ash Wednesday is fast approaching and with it, the beginning of Lent. As the first signs of spring make their appearance, we give our attention to a season of reflection and repentance. But why do we give six-and-a-half weeks to such somber reflection, put ashes on our foreheads, and take on special Lenten disciplines?
There are many things that we would enjoy more, and if the meaning of life was merely to do what we liked and have what we wanted, there would be little need for this season of the year. But, life is not just about us. It is about God and about others. We do not exist just to feed our desires; instead, we were made to bring pleasure to the heart of God and the grace of God to the world that he made. We need the time that Lent offers us to capture a better vision of our place in the world and in God’s plan, to learn the virtue of humility and the dangers of pride – to see what life is really about.
It is not easy to be humble. None of us likes to be made aware of our weaknesses. Especially in our culture, we like to celebrate that we are self-made people and we like others to recognize our accomplishments. It is hard to confess our dependence on others and on God. Truthfully though, we need God’s help. We do not have all that it takes to be successful and we often chase after the things that draw us away from God and lead us toward our own destruction, and sometimes, the destruction of others.
The Bible tells us that, “We shall know the truth and the truth shall set us free.” Lent is designed to help us see the truth, to make an honest assessment of our lives and an affirmation of our complete dependence upon God. As the words of the Ash Wednesday liturgy remind us, our flesh is, “dust and to dust we shall return.” While that may seem ominous, the blessing hiding therein is that when we bring our flawed flesh to the cross, God can renew our spirits and strengthen us to live as we were made to live.
As we enter this precious season, may we humbly allow it to crucify our pride and resurrect our spirits to new life in Jesus Christ. May this Lent be truly blessed.
