By this time next week, at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, we will mark the “official” end of the Lenten season. From that point on, we enter into “the Three Holy Days” (the Triduum of the Lord). Might it be worthwhile to look back on the Lenten season?
How have we grown closer to Jesus this Lent? What have we done to grow in our relationship with the Lord? How might we do things differently in the future to help that relationship deepen? Is Lent adequately preparing our hearts with a sense of anticipation for the upcoming Easter celebrations?
Although we know that the ultimate outcome of the Crucifixion is the Resurrection (something the Apostles did not know would happen), do we have a sense of the hopelessness and fear the Apostles had when Jesus was arrested and subsequently crucified? Have our sacrifices this Lent drawn us to a point where the celebration of Easter will be truly joyous and filled with the same kind of wonderment that the Apostles must have experienced when they discovered the empty tomb?
What have we learned about our faith, about ourselves, and about suffering this Lent? What do we still have to learn? Is our faith stronger? Have we progressed in our spiritual lives since Ash Wednesday? Do we have a greater appreciation for suffering and the benefits suffering can bear? Are we ready to make the most of this final week of the season? Are we willing to let God’s grace break through in new ways in this final week of the season?
Let us pray. “Almighty God, who sent your only Son Jesus Christ to save us from our sin, show us how we can honor you and bring glory to your name, by walking in the way of Jesus. Give us grace and mercy as we try and fail. Give us guidance when we are not sure which way to go. And give us wisdom to trust you in all things. For your love brings light and life to all who seek it. May we seek you evermore as we walk with your Son through these final days of Lent, through Holy Week, and beyond. Amen.”
