LENT

So it is Lent again, the church’s annual cycle of repentance, contemplation and discipline which marks this as a special time of preparation for Holy Week and Easter.

It was startling this week to hear, on ABC radio, a plea for listeners to ring in their ideas for Lenten sacrifice. Perhaps the world too needs Lent. Perhaps our surfeit of everyday luxuries make this appealing for those who realize that they have too much  —  that they want to restore for at least a little while some balance to a life too rich and too full. Or perhaps it’s just curiosity: how long can I do without coffee or television or chocolate, to show that I have at least some self-control?

Jesus fasted, and He recommended it (Matthew 6:16-18). But I wonder whether my reasons for ‘fasting’ aren’t often self-centred, rather than self-giving. I give up things for Lent to make myself feel better, rather than giving up so that I can grow my attachment to things heavenly, and thus give more generously to my neighbour.

I want to ask God for the grace to give up so that I can give out, strengthened by my Saviour who gave up everything (even his breath and heartbeat) so he could give life to me.