On Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, we began the season of Lent. Lent is a period of 40 days leading up to Easter. ’40 days’ is significant – it was the length of time recorded for several Old Testament events, such as the duration of Moses’ time atop the mountain with the Lord to receive the Ten Commandments. 40 days is the length of time in which Jesus was in the wilderness before beginning his ministry, fasting and being tempted by the devil.
Jesus did not submit to temptation, but had he been thinking solely about himself, perhaps his response would have been different. He was hungry and he was offered food, if he was to turn stones into bread. He was challenged to test and prove himself, in exchange for earthly kingdoms and for glory. His hunger could have been sated, his freedom and wealth ensured. Jesus resisted temptation though, because he was not thinking about himself; he was thinking about God the Father. He would honour God the Father, always.
Lent is an invitation for us to think more about God the Father and like Jesus, this may mean thinking a little less about ourselves.
There are three practices associated with Lent: almsgiving, fasting and prayer. Charity towards others, or almsgiving, is about recognising that each person is created in the image and likeness of God, each person is a child of God, each person is loved beyond measure by God. When we freely and willingly give alms we honour God. When we ‘give something up for Lent’ or fast we can think less about what satisfies us, but instead turn our attention to what satisfies God. When we pray we give glory to God.
Lent is a solemn time, but in the Gospel reading for Ash Wednesday Jesus reminded people not to be gloomy when fasting or when giving to others. Instead, Jesus said, act in a way that does not draw attention to yourself, that others may not know what you are doing. So Lent may bring some penance, maybe some little hardship, but that is only part, a necessary part, of growing deeper in the love that comes from God and experiencing the ultimate peace and joy that only he can bring.
