Print Issue: March 6, 2003

COMMENTARY: Lent Is A Journey Of Expectation

By Father John Kieran

On Ash Wednesday, Catholics can be spotted by the "dirty" cross on their brow. People look at us. Friends may suggest a face wash. Regrettably, in the past some have been told to go home from work or remove the religious symbol.

Still the anointing with ashes remains one of the most popular rituals among Catholics and the practice is also gaining significantly within other Christian denominations. For all of us the anointing with ashes signifies the intent to observe the ensuing 40 days of Lent by practicing more faithfully the disciplines of fasting, prayer and almsgiving.

The use of ashes as a sign of conversion from sin is an ancient biblical practice. When Jonah finally went to the city of Nineveh (in north Iraq) preaching repentance, the king responded by covering himself with sackcloth and sitting in ashes (Jon 3:6). When Jeremiah lamented the universal corruption of his time, he called on the faithful remnant: "O daughter of my people, gird on sackcloth, roll in the ashes" (Jer 6:26).

In sending out the 72, Jesus told the disciples to remind the people of the pending day of judgment. Had the cities listened in the past, he said, they would have "reformed in sackcloth and ashes" (Lk 10:13).

The custom of anointing with ashes at the beginning of Lent is a long-standing practice in the church. In 1091 Pope Urban II directed that all the faithful begin Lent by this dramatic external sign of penance and conversion. The present formula accompanying the imposition of ashes emphasizes its purpose. "Turn away from sin and believe in the gospel." Individually and as a community we use the weeks of Lent to break away from sin by the grace of God.

Nonetheless, the primary focus of Lent is not on ascetical practice. Rather this period is a countdown to the crowning of the Christian year, Easter and resurrection. Lent is a journey of expectation, readying oneself for the Easter graces.

The journey of Lent is like traveling a well-known route. On each trip one notices new details, new insights into the beauty of the landscape. Journeying through the period of Lent with its rich liturgy and customs enables us to better appreciate the spectacular of Easter.

Reading the daily Scriptures is a sure way to enter the spirit of Lent and stay on track. The message running through readings assigned for the first weeks is a call to a life of Gospel conversion. The radical ways of Jesus are put before us to imitate: mutual forgiveness, love of the enemy, the absolute claims of justice and so forth.

In the second half of Lent we read from the Gospel of John. Here the intent is that we enter more deeply into the mystery of Jesus Christ, the healer and life-giver. Thus we journey with him through the events of Holy Week to resurrection-from death to life.

The disciplines of prayer, fasting and almsgiving are to be practiced together. One leads to the other. Peter Chrysologus (c 380-450) says:

"Prayer, mercy and fasting: These three are one, and they give life to each other. Fasting is the soul of prayer; mercy is the lifeblood of fasting. Let no one try to separate them; they cannot be separated. If you have only one of them or not all together, you have nothing. So if you pray, fast; if fast, show mercy; if you want your petition to be heard, hear the petition of others. When you fast, see the fasting of others. If you hope for mercy, show mercy. If you look for kindness, show kindness. If you want to receive, give."

The development of Lent has had a long history. Up until the fifth century the 40 days were kept as an intense period of preparation for convert Christians to be baptized at Easter. In later centuries the focus of Lent became distinctly penitential. That is the Lent I remember as a child.

We were taught to abstain and deny goodies and candy. The success of our Lent making seemed to equate with the amount of mortification and penance. It was a time for black tea and austerity.

The initial Scripture for Lent is the temptation of Jesus in the desert. This year we read from Mark 1. There the Master partook in the same disciplines of prayer, fasting and sacrifice associated with modern Lent. It was a time of quiet where Jesus listened to God's plan and recommitted to its doing. He fasted. He pondered his forthcoming ordeal on the cross.

During Lent all of us should take some time for quiet solitude. A time to pray heightened by a gentle fast leading to a resolve of sharing with others (almsgiving).

As always, Jesus is our model. His 40 days were spiritual and practical; private and communal. He prepared himself so that he might be able to endure the trials of his work and ultimately the cross. His fasting and prayer readied him for the day when he would be "lifted up" on the cross for "our" healing and forgiveness (Jn 12:32).

That is why St. Benedict states: The spiritual life should be a continuous Lent. What a Christian should be doing at all times should be done with greater care and devotion during Lent. Its proven disciplines and prayerful practices are a sure path to a fulfilling Easter experience. Make it a good one.

Father Kieran is pastor of St. Pius X Church in Conyers.