Soon we will be entering the season of Lent. How do we feel, when we hear the word ‘LENT’? Is it something sad because we enter into the passion of Christ? Or is it a wonderful opportunity to have a deep union with God through prayers and fasting?
Pope Benedict XVI said, “Lent is like a long retreat during which we can turn back into ourselves and listen to the voice of God, in order to defeat the temptation of the evil one.”
‘Two wolves’ - this story depicts that there is an endless battle that goes on inside all of us. It is between the two wolves. One wolf is bad – he is anger, envy, regret, greed, ego, superiority, etc. The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, sincerity, humility, etc.
Now the question is - which wolf inside of us will win?
And the answer is – the one we feed more.
So, let us make this lent a forty days retreat to take time and reflect and to know to which wolf are we feeding the most?
There are few points that will be helpful for us to be mindful of during these forty days.
Effect of prayer: This lent invites us to see and evaluate our prayer life. Is my prayer effective? It does not matter how many hours we spend in the chapel. What matters is our qualitative time with God. What matters is our relationship with God. What matters is our relationship with one another. The effect of our prayer first and foremost we ourselves and then others must experience through our words and deeds.
Building the bridges: Lent is an appropriate time to break the wall of hatred, jealousy, gossip, ego, and unforgiveness. It is a time to build the bridge on the strong foundation of love, understanding, and trust which will keep us united and help us to be the bearers of reconciliation.
Lead people to God: There are many people around us discouraged, disappointed, and broken due to various reasons. During the pandemic, many have lost hope and the meaning of life. Let us find time to give comfort and consolation to all those who are struggling and help them to experience God's protective hand in times of struggles too.
Fasting: During this season of lent let us journey to our inner selves and check of the negative attitude that grows within very powerfully? Once we become aware of these negative attitudes that are growing within, then let us make an earnest effort to fast from these negative attitudes that block us to be holy.
So, have a grace-filled season of Lent. Be with the Lord, be in the Lord.
Written by Sr. Nisha Matera
Guntakal Community
Tanmaya Province
