Dealing With "Lint"

The Season of Lent is a time when we should reflect more deeply on our life in Christ as Catholic Christians. It should be a time of reflection not one of morbid introspection. In some ways it is not unlike the other “lint” we encounter in life. Prior to an important event or meeting it is not unusual to scrutinize our clothing to see if there are any spots or if we have picked up any lint on our clothing, so that we can remove it and be more presentable. It is not as though we were wearing dirty rags, but simply that we want to make sure that our clothing hasn’t picked up unseemly bits of dirt as we have navigated through our world. So we take a moment to check our clothing.

I am reminded of Ephesians 4 where St. Paul wrote to the church and made three suggestions on how they can scrutinize their life and prepare for representing Christ in their world. The end result he sought for was not to simply focus on their shortcomings but to focus on becoming consistent with the new nature of Christ which they had received. He advised them to:

• Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts,
• and be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
• and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Lent is a time to make a few changes to our spiritual clothing. It is a time to discover those pieces of the old nature which are still clinging to us and to wholeheartedly “put off” those things. That is one reason why so much emphasis is put on participating in the Rite of Reconciliation (Confession) at the beginning of Lent. The Church is concerned that, especially during this time leading up to the memorial of Christ’s Passion and Resurrection, that we reflect on our lives, name those things that are adversely affecting our relationship with Christ, and his Church, and abandon them. The process sometimes can be very difficult  but the results are refreshing and life giving.

Lent should be a time of personal and spiritual renewal.  We cooperate with the Holy Spirit in this process when we chose a Lenten fast of some kind to awaken within us a deeper awareness of Christ, and when we take time to read sacred Scripture more attentively, attend the Sacraments more frequently, give more generously, and pray more faithfully. Many have found it very helpful to be part of a small-group where they study and discuss something like our Seven Last Words of Christ bible study. Instead of simply giving up coffee or chocolates, etc., they chose to give up an hour a week to discuss Christ’s Passion. As they do they discover that the small faith community experience greatly stimulates their desire to know and follow Christ. The “be renewed” element is an essential part of the experience of Lent.

Out of this time of renewal we are then able to more fully “put on” the new nature of Christ and be ready to celebrate his resurrection, not only at Easter but also thereafter, as we go forth into the world to be his disciple and represent him. This putting on the new nature is a gift given to us by Christ. Our eyes light up when we discover that someone has bought a new item of clothing for us, and Lent should be no different. It should be a time of anticipation as we wait to see with what new aspect of his nature Jesus desires to clothe us during our Lenten journey.

I pray that for you this Lenten Season will be more life changing than any previous one.