"Expect Big Graces"

Lent. As we are now in the first week of Lent, perhaps you have gone through a kind of dread, or maybe it’s more like the feeling of having just gotten comfortable on the couch when the doorbell rings. Ugh, you have to get up and answer the door. The mention of Lent (especially when it is knocking at the door) elicits a groan from many a Catholic. And we all know why: Lent calls us to have discipline, to increase our prayer, to fast, to give of ourselves through works of charity. Is this about putting aside enjoyments and being miserable? Clearly not, as we heard on Ash Wednesday when Jesus told us to look cheerful when fasting, not make a show of piety, and not parade our good works in front of others (cf. Mt. 6:1-6,16-17). We may, indeed, put aside some enjoyments, but the purpose of this is to lead us to deeper joy and interior freedom.

Mother Lucille used to remind us Sisters every Ash Wednesday that Lent is a time of grace. Expect big graces, she would say, because Jesus wants to give us big graces in this holy season. Many people have changed their lives for the better during Lent. Think of one thing, Mother Lucille would say, one thing in your life that you would like to change. Work on that during Lent, and expect, with God’s help, that your life will change.

It is good advice. We could decide to get up early, do more spiritual reading, quit smoking, go to the gym, give up chocolate and YouTube, and be more patient. But if we make too many resolutions, we won’t end up keeping any of them. What is the one thing you need to work on right now? Begin by asking the Lord that very question—Lord, what is it that You want me to work on this Lent? He will ask you to look deeper than giving up chocolate—to the real roots of sin. Likely, His prompting will be to work on anger or envy or forgiveness or some other real block in your life, a block to your relationship with Him and with others. Now, you could give up chocolate as a penance or get up earlier to pray, or some such thing, but your penance and prayer should support what it is you are really working on. (Might I put in a plug here to limit your screen time as a penance that gives you more time for prayer?)

Love covers a multitude of sins, Scripture tells us. Just think of the woman who poured out her tears at Jesus’ feet and was forgiven much (cf. Luke 7:36-48). And so, we also give alms and do good deeds during Lent. This increases our generosity, stretches our hearts, so to speak. In fact, fasting and almsgiving are meant to create space within us, so that we have more of an openness to God.

So far, this probably doesn’t sound enjoyable, and you may feel inclined to stay on the couch. But, if you rouse yourself and enter into the discipline of Lent, the reward will be great: a deepening relationship with the Lord, Who gives us true joy, not to mention becoming more who you are meant to be by working to change and grow in holiness. And the Easter joy will be overflowing. As Lent is knocking on our door. Let’s get up, throw the door wide, and let the graces flow in!

Sr. Cecilia, CFR