In order to be capable of mercy, therefore, we must first of all dispose ourselves to listen to the Word of God. This means rediscovering the value of silence in order to meditate on the Word that comes to us. In this way, it will be possible to contemplate God’s mercy and adopt it as our lifestyle. (Pope Francis: Face of Mercy, 13)
The beginning of Lent always starts off with ashes; the reminder that we are temporal and will one day die. It is not a very uplifting way to start the day, but it is good to be reminded about how short our time here really is. It can put things in perspective if meditated upon. So Lent is a call for people to just do more than ‘give something up’, but to think deeply about their lives and their faith.
“Giving up something for Lent” is a good practice, if that inner emptiness, no matter how small that comes from letting go of ‘something’, is filled with something better. So during Lent… people are encouraged to spend more time in reading scripture, in prayer and when possible, to worship with ones community; as well as to serve them in a more attentive manner.
Pope Francis with his emphasis on mercy is asking us all to do more. To actually feed the hungry, give shelter to those in need, to visit prisoners etc., if we can. If this is done, many ‘things’ would have to be given up that get in the way of showing Christ’s mercy to others. No one can do everything, but most of us can do something and in doing that we can open up our hearts further to grace.
We can fast from gossip, or TV or the internet, and spend more time loving others and seeking to help instead being critical. These alone would open up inner spaces that we can allow grace and light to fill. In order to pray and to be present to God, we often have to let something else go. We find when we spend more time in prayer and reflection we discover ourselves being less scattered and stressed, we learn to focus on what is important at our work place, with friends and most importantly with family and our community.
Lent can become a time of healing if we begin the journey towards Jerusalem with Jesus. The reading of scriptures everyday over time will become the living water that quenches the thirst for a deeper more loving relationship with the Father as revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. The Holy Spirit will fill us with this living water.
Br. Mark Dohle, OCSO
Holy Spirit Monastery
