Traditionally
Lent is a period during which we give up something – usually something
pleasurable or habit forming such as candy, chocolate, certain television
shows, coffee, or smoking. Many consider
Lent as a 40 day period which can continue if the fasting or sacrifice is
successful.
For
some, the 40 days is a period of fasting to purify one’s system and draw closer
to God. Doing so is a reminder of the 40
days Jesus spent in the desert and his temptation by Satan.
Or
perhaps it is simply a time of meditation and prayer leading up to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection.
If
nothing else, it is a period of time that most people recognize as a time to at
least pause the daily routine, a time to reassess priorities. This year, that pause comes at a most
opportune time.
The
nation and communities are deeply divided over the nature of government and the
future course of our society. Heartfelt
opinions are leading to extreme irreconcilable differences, resulting in a risk
of friendships and relationships being torn apart. Leaders across the country are responding to
and reinforcing their constituents’ opinions by in turn becoming not willing to
dialogue with anyone with opposite opinion.
The
fasting this Lenten period could be the pause that cleanses our spirits. Instead of giving up a favorite treat,
perhaps the fasting should be a spiritual one – giving up
miscommunication. Remember the words
from a similar difficult period some 50 years ago – “people talking without
speaking, hearing without listening.”
Suppose we simply resolved to fast from not listening? Suppose we resolved to open our hearts to the
Spirit to enter and lead us?
As I
write this on Valentine’s Day, I am blessed by family love and devotion. I am also reminded of that greatest love of
all, the eternal undeserved love of God.
Can we use Lent to reflect that love in our actions towards others – the
neighbors Jesus told us to love. Can we
show that love unconditionally to those whose opinions are different from ours? After all, isn’t it easy to love your family
and friends and those who love us?
During
Lent, it is time to do something difficult and love those different from
ourselves in opinion, culture, religion,
politics or country of origin. Giving up
our personal opinions and distrust could result in greater purification of our
spirit and lead us closer to God than any other Lenten sacrifice.
Luke 6:32 – “If you love those who love you, what credit is
that to you?”
