Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010
"Lent"
“Lent” is an Old English word for “spring”. And, to a great extent, the season that we now call Lent is a preparation for spring. It begins in the cold and dark season when the earth has not yet come alive, but it ends with the glorious bursting forth of new life in the resurrection and the flowering of spring. They are inexorably intertwined. I have never felt self-conscious about the idea that Easter is, in part, a celebration of spring. And the Lenten season that leads up to it is the anticipation of spring to come.
Lent used to be a short season of several days, but soon became identified with the fast of 40 days by Jesus in the wilderness. This period of fasting and prayer brought Jesus into contact with his Father in Heaven and clarified his own ministry after his baptism. So Lent has become, for many of us, our own “wilderness experience” as we prepare for the sorrowful events of Holy Week and the glorious triumph of the Resurrection.
Sin and guilt, penitence and fasting, self-examination and reconciliation with others, these are all the marks of a holy and meaningful Lent. It is a time for heartfelt prayer, renewal of the vows we made at our baptism and confirmation, and openness to the Holy Spirit. All of this is to make us ready for the glorious news of the Resurrection at Easter.
This Lent, you might want to consider making a private confession to a priest, the sacrament of Reconciliation restored to our Prayerbook. The actual rite is a rather simple one between priest and penitent. And actually doing it is a private and sensitive pastoral matter between them. For some persons, can be a profound and spiritually enriching act. Considering confession can be scary. You may fear that the priest might judge you or change his or her attitude or relationship with you. They might lose respect for you. These concerns may then become the excuses for avoiding it altogether. In truth, this risk underlies almost all pastoral relationships. To make this next step does require a level of trust and confidence in the discretion and objectivity of the confessor. But in spite of what you might fear, an experienced confessor can indeed separate the personal from the professional. I have heard and seen a lot of things in my lifetime, both in medical practice and ministry, and I doubt there is anything any of you could reveal in confession that I haven’t previously encountered. There is very little that would shock or dismay. Even so, you might find it appropriate to seek out someone who is not a friend or pastor for this purpose. It might take away a barrier or excuse. If you read the liturgy for Reconciliation in your prayerbook, you might be surprised to discover that in form I, the priest concludes with this: “The Lord has put away all your sins” and then “go in peace and pray for me, a sinner.” At that time, it is not unusual to see tears of gratitude and relief, as if a lifelong burden has been lifted. It is deeply moving both for priest and penitent. But outside of the confessional, it is never again acknowledged or mentioned. It is put away forever.
During this Lenten season, I have every intention of turning up the heat a little bit, and pushing you to more honesty and awareness of the spiritual barriers that most of us face, the things that can separate us from God. This might make you and me very uncomfortable, especially about things we would rather keep hidden or, even worse, denied. Indeed, if you or I have regrets, then we probably already feel guilty about them and desire a way to set things right if possible. And although we talk a lot about guilt, I would suggest that the most malignant of all spiritual burdens is not guilt or regret, but anger. It might be anger with self or anger at another or just at a situation. It can be irrational, but nonetheless very real. It poisons relationships and destroys lives. When turned inward, it can turn into deep depression and self hatred and more guilt. So as you move deeper into your Lenten reflections and self-examination, don’t be afraid to admit your anger. It is the first step toward release. Anger, guilt, regret. These are all things that focus on the past. And the past is something we can never change but need not deny. Once identified and admitted, true contrition and amendment of life can follow. For this you will be absolved. And you can go forth and sin no more, or at least do your best. That is all that can be expected.
Christ came to save us. To do it, he assumed the burden of our past sins for us through his sacrifice of himself on the cross. We were released to look forward to the kingdom, not backward to wallow in guilt and regret for past sins. This Lenten season, take the time to acknowledge the gift we are about to receive. Jesus offers us the gift of healing and reconciliation. He travels with us on the way and shares our burdens because of love. God forgives the sins of all who are penitent. So don’t hold back. It would be like turning your back on God.
“I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance, by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.” Our Lenten journey will now begin. Amen.
