Lenten Reflections – 2010

Lent, in Christian tradition, is the period of the liturgical year leading up to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer — through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial — for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In the process of self-denial, many traditions require one to “give up something” — to abstain at least during the Lenten season from taking part of or using that particular vice. I was thinking today how wonderful it would be if everyone resolved to give up hate, animosity, and the desire to control the lives of others.

“But Wait,” you say, “the Lenten custom of ‘giving up’ or abstaining is traditionally seen as doing without something you like, and not the negative attitudes and lifestyles such as the need to control others!”

To those of you that would suggest that fact to this balding, portly, Priest, —- I reply to you with a heavy sigh and troubled heart, and humbly point out that there are many in this world that thrive on hate, animosity, and the mind control of others, those that savor these negative attitudes just as you and I might savor a thick juicy steak, a glass of a fine aperitif, or even a mug of one’s favorite brew.

Sadly, our diverse media, on a daily basis reports headlines detailing the suffering and in some cases death that innocents have experienced at the hands of these troubled souls. Consider the number of accounts we have heard of children that have been enslaved, in some cases for years by adults for the purpose of satisfaction of the desires of the flesh. Consider the cases wherein people have recounted the suffering they have experienced at the hands of false prophets that were so controlling that the lay person had to go to the minister to receive his/her permission for such simple things as the choice of cell phone vendors.

And many of us have heard of or know matriarchs and patriarchs that thrive on maintaining hate and animosity within their own family groups — dividing the family and in effect conquering so as to control the family, people who do not seem happy unless turmoil is constantly boiling in their lives and the lives of their spouses, children or siblings. To all of these that thrive on hate, animosity and control, would it not be nice if they discovered self denial – at least during Lent – by giving up these habits? Would not it be wonderful if they abstained from their desires that hurt and deny others, by denying themselves of these negative vices?

“…..Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3

Usually, little children are not full of hate and animosity, until they have learned these undesirable attributes from adults or older children. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we all followed the golden rule, treating others as we would want to be treated, and I ask how many actually want to be the receivers of hate and animosity or to be controlled by others? Why can we not be as little children in the symbolic sense and cast off hate, greed, etc.

And one of the lawyers answering saith unto him, Teacher, in saying this thou reproachest us also. And Jesus said, Woe unto you lawyers also! for ye load men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe unto you lawyers! for ye took away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

Luke 11:45,46,52

We might ask how often people place the burdens of hate, animosity, control, greed, and even false guilt and never lift a finger to help their victims bear these loads? How many would not enter into the light of God’s grace and strive to prevent others from doing so?

As we go through Lenten season reflect upon these thoughts that are offered for contemplation, and perhaps even pray that we as the followers of Christ can through our good example lead those we refer to in this editorial away from the darkness that prevails over their hearts and souls, so that someday innocents will no longer suffer at the hands of troubled individuals or cults.