Lent Is About Making Real Changes, Not Counting Days
Every now and then parishioners ask the questions “How do we count the 40 days of Lent?” or “Do Sundays count as days of penance?” I wonder – what might be the motive(s) behind such questions?
Is it a desire to do just the minimum expected of us? This is quite natural. As human beings we always look for short cuts or find loop holes whether on our taxes or our religious practices! What’s the least we have to do to fulfill the law? But is Lent about fulfilling the “law” OR trying to become better Christians?
Another reason may be a “left-over” from our childhood – we can start drinking our cokes, smoking our cigarettes, eating our candy when Lent ends! So knowing the exact end of Lent is very important with that childish understanding of Lent. But St. Paul reminds us “We have put our childish ways behind us.” Or have we? Old habits die hard!
Before answering the question of “How are the 40 days of Lent counted?”, it’s good to review the purpose of our Lenten observances of fasting, almsgiving and prayer. Basically they call us to “love God” (prayer) and “love neighbor” (almsgiving and good works) as we love ourselves (fasting). These three practices summarize Jesus’ two greatest commandments.
Although it is good to “give up” something during Lent – we usually think of that in terms of food, drink, or cigarettes – what good is that if, e.g. we give up cigarettes and make life miserable for everyone around us? We have defeated the purpose of Lent, which is to become more Christ-like people. If we plan to give up cigarettes, we may want to see a physician for a Nicotine patch to help us get through!
Whatever we “give up” during Lent ought to be something that leads to a change of behavior. Do we gossip? Could we pray more instead of watching TV or playing computer games? What about letting go of a grudge and reconciling with someone? We could share our time and money with the lonely and poor. Whatever we do during Lent shouldn’t end on Easter. If we have practiced a good behavior for 6 weeks (yes, we may fall; Jesus fell three times, but picked himself up again), then we can continue for another six weeks; and then 12 weeks; then 24; then 48, which is almost one year – the good then becomes a virtue as we leave the vice behind.
I wonder if we have really captured the true meaning of Lent in the Catholic Church which Vatican II has tried to instill within us. We still look at giving up something for 40 days until Lent is over and then start up again where we left off. St. Ignatius of Loyola gives us a true understanding of Lent – really the whole Christian life – he says we should always be willing to ask the Lord – “Lord, is there one thing MORE I can do for you?” It’s a dangerous question because the Lord will most certainly tell us! Are we willing to be obedient?
Next week I’ll explain how we actually count the 40 days of Lent.
