Maybe, it’s because yesterday was “Laetare” Sunday—but today’s
readings seem rather, upbeat for this penitential season. “Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a
new earth; The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind. Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and
happiness in what I create; For I create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people
to be a delight”. Rejoicing, delight,
happiness, joy…what happened to putting on sackcloth and ashes, what happened
to compunction and repentance, where’s the call to fasting, mortification, and
penance? Even the Psalm proclaims that
God has “changed our mourning into dancing”!
What’s going on here?
Our culture is sick and near death; it is continuously
falling away from the Gospel call. It
needs Lent, it needs penance and conversion and mercy. In fact, an Italian religious order of monks
lived by the phrase: semper quadragesima, always Lent. We are always in need of the penitential
spirit of Lent throughout the whole of our Christian life.
Perhaps, through these readings today the Church is calling
us, in the midst of our penitence and fasting, to realize what this season of
Lent celebrates. Christ suffered and
dead, that we might have life eternal, that we might be citizens of this new
heaven and new earth, that we might share in the joy and delight in the
Lord. Without Jesus’ self-sacrifice
there would be no hope, there would be no fulfillment of this promise. But he is victorious! And the cross does lead to the resurrection and to eternal joy!
As we know very well, this life will NOT be without
suffering, for the Lord has promised us a share in the cross. But our earthly suffering and all of our Lenten
penances are flavored with this hope and trust that there will be gladness and
rejoicing for those who pick up their cross and follow him for the glory of God
and salvation of souls.
No comments:
Post a Comment