Septuagesima Sunday marks the beginning of the period of pre-Lenten preparation on the traditional calendar that tells us that Ash Wednesday is only 17 days away.
Our scripture readings give us some important principles for our pre-Lenten preparation.
Firstly, in the Epistle, St. Paul urges us to seek heaven with the effort of the most disciplined athlete: “run as to win”. Many of us are certainly becoming less physically athletic as the days go by. But St. Paul isn’t talking about being physically athletic, but simply borrowing a principle from the athletes. Discipline. Discipline is needed in the Christian life.
Like an athlete, the Christian is to develop a training routine, a schedule for the spiritual practices that we will need to be observing during Lent. While all of us are called to Lenten prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, our individual routines and disciplines are unique. What kind of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are needed at this time in my life, with my unique faults and vices and weaknesses? Where is God calling me to train? And train not for mediocrity, but real spiritual greatness?
Another dimension of spiritual discipline is to prepare for inevitable obstacles. Now, again, I’m not a big runner, but experienced runners, marathon runners, who are in decent physical shape, say that 90% of the race is mental. And those of us who are honest, now how our mind likes to play tricks on us during Lent.
There will be inevitable thoughts like “does God really care if I keep my commitments? What’s so sinful about chocolate anyway?” That’s why making a plan now is important. Map out Lent, if you want Holy Week to be a little more penitential than your first week of Lent, fine, but come up with a plan now, and stick with it.
Also, be humble. You’re a sinner. You’re likely going sin during Lent. So, don’t let a stumble, even a set of stumbles cause you to give up on your Lenten observances. Repent. Renew your commitment. And keep on running. We are all works in progress. Lent isn’t for the perfect, but is a stage in our perfection.
“Run as to win” Paul says. Marathon runners, in order to keep their motivation up throughout the long, strenuous race, they’ll imagine the satisfaction of crossing that finish line, the adulation of friends and family.
And there’s a lesson there too. We engage in Lenten observances not for worldly fame, or to prove that we are holier than anybody. It’s about heaven. The penances of Lenten assist us, and assist others in reaching heaven.
The Gospel passage may be a little confusing at first. Why do we have this Gospel parable about the latecomers receiving the full day’s wage today? Perhaps it is because during Lent, the Church will be praying especially for the latecomers, those who will be entering the Church at Easter. There is of course no jealousy or complaining or grumbling, but rejoicing when new laborers join our company--the company of Christ.
During the Church prays and does penance especially for those who will be entering the Church at easter. There is no jealousy or complaining over those who experience conversion later in life—who become heirs of the promises of the kingdom through baptism at Easter. Rather, we encourage them, in this, their first Lent, by our own example, by cherishing the grace we have received, and making good use of our time, to pray and repent.
Over the next 17 days, make a plan, be realistic, be humble, be serious. This can be the best Lent ever, where graces are won that will echo into eternity, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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