This year’s Lent

Soon, it will be a year since this pandemic has confined many of us to our homes. Those immunocompromised, especially among seniors, have been advised to stay home instead and stay safe.

Engrossed then with restrictive lockdowns, with grave concern about congested hospitals and the urgent need to know more about the COVID-19/its containment, the Lenten season last year came and went, the readings not leaving any imprint on many troubled hearts/minds.

 This time around, however, one is treated to a variety of online daily Lenten messages, prayers, masses, and bible readings. The COVID-19 has allowed for more time for reflection during this year’s lent.

 For one, about the meaning of Lent.

Many view these 40 days that started from Ash Wednesday to the Resurrection as “spiritual preparation, fasting, repentance, self-denial and spiritual discipline, a time to focus on Jesus Christ, His suffering , sacrifice, life, death, burial and resurrection.”

 A priest suggests - try to focus as well on the meaning of Christ’s passion and death for one’s own journey back to God in His eternal home.

Consider Lent as the time when our Lord Jesus Christ clearly shows us how to be reunited with God the Father.

 How?

Focus on the Lord, not the load, Fr. Orbos reminded all.

Jesus Christ focused, not on the cross, but on doing God’s will, on the joy of redemption for all and the greater joy of reunion with the Father.

We are also enjoined to do so. The Lord clearly shows us how in the various readings for this season.

 God the Father confirms Christ’s divinity during baptism (that He is well pleased with His Son who obeyed His will) and again during the Transfiguration where Jesus, obedient to God’s will, is shown in His divinity, flanked on one side by Moses and on the other by Elijah.

 Fr. NIlo of Kapamilya Daily Mass explained.

Why Moses? He represented the law set by the Father- the Commandments Christ later summed up as loving God above all and our neighbor as ourselves.

Why Elijah? He represented the prophets sent by God to proclaim the truth.

In another reading, why did Jesus mention a prophet is not welcomed in his own country? Because prophets profess the truth which people do not welcome.

 Even until now, many in authority hate to be told the truth. Like the prophets in the past, those who speak the truth now are persecuted and killed.

 What was the truth that the prophets proclaimed?

As Jesus also proclaimed -the truth about God’s unconditional/eternal love for all who choose to follow God’s will, for those who love God and their neighbors.

 Several priests remind us to look not only on the repentant son but on all other characters in that prodigal son parable. Remember the angry older son who refused to enter the house because he felt his father favored his prodigal son more?

Most importantly, remember their father, his unconditional and patient love he showed when he lovingly forgave and welcomed his erring sons back into his home.

During Lent, we are reminded to focus both on God’s great love for us and. Christ’s life on earth which is a testimony about His love for the Father and His choice to fully obey His Father’s will

 On earth, having freely chosen to follow God’s will, Jesus went through temptation in the desert, to transfiguration in the mountain, through His passion and then to His Triumph on the cross in Calvary.

His reward: His reunion with God the Father in heaven which can be ours as well – if like Christ, we joyfully and freely choose to follow God’s will on earth as it is in heaven.