The Seasons of Lent

Have you noticed that there’s a battle going on in nature?

Simply put, it’s a war between winter and spring.  One day we need a heavy coat, hat, and gloves; the next day we can get by with a sweater.

One day I have my sunglasses on, the next day we’re getting the snow-shovel out again.

Which is precisely why wise Mother Church places Lent at this time.  That struggle between Winter and Spring roaring outside is also always going on deep down inside!

If we are honest, we have to acknowledge that, in our souls, in our hearts, is a struggle between winter (darkness, sin, death, coldness) and spring (light, grace, mercy, life, warmth and tenderness).

Take heart!  Jesus Himself went through this battlefield!  On Good Friday, winter seems to have won.  Even the sun went dark in eclipse!

Then comes Easter Sunday!  Now it’s spring, with light and life on top.

We’re not spectators here, folks!  We’re participants!  What is happening outside in nature, is taking place inside our souls; what Jesus went through on Good Friday and Easter Sunday (the paschal mystery), we experience in our own interior, spiritual lives.

That’s what Lent, Holy Week, and Easter are all about.