What if this Lent we didn’t approach the practices of prayer, almsgiving, and fasting with an eye to what we can do to transform ourselves, but rather with an eye to what God wants to do in order to transform us?
Too often we approach Lent as though it were a series of New Year’s resolutions: to give up a particular bad habit, or share more with the poor, or be more faithful to prayer. But Lent is not about self-improvement. Lent is a time of conversion in which God is in charge of our conversion. Not us.
After all, Lent is a preparation for the season of Easter, and in Easter we see that Jesus comes to save us, despite ourselves. Peter swears up and down that he will never betray Jesus, but then he does. A thief on the cross ends up being the first to be in Heaven with Jesus, a most unexpected consolation. Women go to the empty tomb to mourn and end up being missioned by Jesus, resurrected. Jesus reconciles with Peter despite the betrayals and then gives him a central place in Church leadership. Easter is full of the unpredictable. Easter is a lot of crazy, beautiful surprises with the Resurrection at its heart.
If this is true, then Lent is not a project of self-improvement. Rather, it’s a time of allowing God to transform us. Lent is a time of intentional cooperation with God’s graces, where God leads and we follow, like a good dance partner. We can choose to follow or not, but God is always in the lead.
What might this look like in practice? The answer will be individual for each one of us, and so a Lent of following God’s lead must be grounded in prayer. We can listen for the voice of God and let ourselves be surprised by what the call in Lent might be. Perhaps we not only contribute to our paper rice bowls with alms for the poor, but also feel God calling us to undertake service work where we build relationships with a community of people outside our comfortable social circles. Or maybe fasting this year means not only the obligatory fasts, but also fasting from judgment when I do not know the inner workings of another’s heart. Perhaps God is calling me to add in a different form of prayer: a few minutes of silence on my lunch break at work, or praying as a family just before the children are tucked into bed.
Or perhaps we will feel the call of God out of the blue in Lent to follow God into some new place. Are we open to letting this Lent be God’s and not our own?
Thank you for that reflection. I was caught up with my Catholic religion vs my faith. I needed to hear that God is in charge of the changes I need, not me and my project. It changed my total focus on Lent and my thinking. Saving this to reflect on with my SD next week.
Thanks for your kind words.
Thank you for this. Yesterday I was feeling overwhelmed by all the spiritual practices I was trying fit , when God nudged me and said Love is the answer. I realised that by offering my day, whatever it might bring, as a loving gift of thankfulness to God, I can relax and let him lead me.
That reminds me of the idea of Walter Ciszek SJ who spoke of finding God’s will in the people, places, and situations before us each day. Thanks for sharing!
Interesting concept. I’ve been struggling with Lent this year and this re-enforces something my Spiritual Director shared with me. My “old” cradle Catholic keeps the idea of Lenten give up, give away, etc. This new concept has me changing my Lenten concept. Thank you. Even printed the article to add to my daily reflections.
This approach gives hope and confidence that as fallible human I can be opened to and become a channel of God’s loving grace. Thanks.
From a country filled with rituals of Lent. This is a fitting opening for my Lent. With heart filled with gratitude, many thanks!
Thank you for inspiring my desire and willingness to Let Him
Amen… conversion time
This article has lifted a weight from my shoulders. For the past several years Lent for me has felt like an exercise program. So many exhortations. Pray more!!! Read these Bible verses!!! Do these Spiritual practices every day!!!
Please let us just allow God into our lives, be more aware of him, and follow Jesus as he guides us. Let us listen for his words to us.
Thank you …. it is so good to simply listen.
Thank you for the reminder that I get to stand on Papa”s feet as HE dances me around the room…..I’m not a slow learner, but I AM as fast forgetter!
Thank you!!!! Was thinking of my plans for lent and your approach struck a chord that resonated in my heart!!!
Right on the mark! Thank you for sharing!
This is a new approach an really makes more sense in what Lent is all about. I appreciate this reminder that, yes, God is ALWAYS in the lead.
I wish to share, this beautiful approach of God leading us, with the family and with friends and with children at catequeism class, this lenten season. I guess the former is rightly compared with new year resolutions which we forget to keep as soon as we stop seeing christmas decorations around us.
Thank you! This is the core of Lent, which is so often missed.
I need to let go and let the Holy Spirit be my guide to letting God do His work in me.
May the God of “surprises” be with each of us this Lenten season in new and challenging ways! Open eyes, open hearts that we may be transformed by grace. Thank you for reminding us!
what a thoughtful way to approach Lent. Thank you Marina.
Thank you for this challenge of “intentional cooperation with God’s graces” to allow God to lead through Lent. This is a very timely and much appreciated message. Blessings.