Have a Happy Lent. It is almost a contradiction isn’t it? Isn’t Lent supposed to be about joining our sufferings, small and large to our Lord’s sufferings during His agonizing trial, torture, and crucifixion? Isn’t Lent supposed to be about sackcloth and ashes; about praying, fasting and giving alms? The disciplines of Lent are no walk in the park to be sure, but is it possible to be joyful in the midst of the ashes?
Since we know the end of this story, (spoiler alert… He comes back to life to kick Dr. Death and Mr. Evil’s butt), I think the answer is a definite YES! While it’s a good thing to do some spiritual spring cleaning, contemplate our mortality, and assess where we are in our walk with Jesus, I can’t help but rejoice in what Jesus accomplished when He murmured, “It is finished,” from the cross. God won, fade to black and roll the credits.
In marriage and family life, we live in the midst of this tension between joy and sorrow. The promises we make at the altar when we get married truly are a source of joy, but once in the throes of marriage, those promises take a real beating don’t they? So this Lent take some time and take stock of your marriage. Ask yourself… how are we doing with the whole loving and honoring part? How are we doing with accepting our children lovingly from God and raising them according the law of Christ and his Church? Be merciful o Lord for we have sinned. For married people, these questions should always be a part of an examination of conscience. It is time for that much needed Lenten trip to Confession.
Marriage and family life is a mixed bag with plenty of suffering that we can unite to Christ’s but there is also joy. We suffer from bitter disappointments and betrayals, but we rejoice too in the tender moments when we catch a glimpse of God’s love for us in the eyes of our beloved, in the kind act of a daughter or son, or in the understanding nods of our elders who without words let us know they’ve been there and that this too will pass. Married life and parenting helps us to connect with the paradox of Christianity, so that in giving up His life, Jesus gave humanity eternal life. There is much to give up when crossing the proverbial threshold from individual person to being no longer two, but one in the eyes of God and the Church.
Working in marriage prep, I get to witness some AHA moments. It’s those moments of realization for couples when they find out marriage is hard. Yes it is, but it’s still beautiful and worth it. It is good and beautiful more than anything because our Father God, created it for our benefit so we could experience love as He loves. It’s beautiful and worth it because after we broke marriage with our disobedience and hardness of heart, our Lord Jesus put the pieces back together and stamps it a Sacrament.
So go ahead and have yourself a real family Lent this year. Do it together… feel the pangs of hunger, pray until your beads or your knees melt, and give to the poor until it hurts! But while you’re at it remember the resurrection, think about that joy and be a happy penitent! Happy Lent everyone!