How to keep the Lenten spark alive

By Archbishop Raymond Roussin, SM

It can all too easily happen that Lent, like other seasons of the liturgical year, loses some of its flavour, its raison d'etre, its spark, for us.

Many of us, as a matter of habit at this time of the year, promise to sacrifice something for the season - very laudable - and succeed in keeping this commitment, or perhaps do not, and eventually we reach the end of the 40 days.

It is all too easy for us humans to take for granted what is familiar to us; this can even happen with the Mass.

Lent does not exist just to help us stop smoking, to help us stop eating too much. It is not just a time to add names to our prayer lists.

Lent is an extraordinary time, 40 consecrated days dedicated to helping us to become like Jesus Christ, to become like Christ in all things, to become holy. It is as simple as that!

The first and foremost commandment is to love God above all else. To it is linked the second commandment, to love our neighbour! There is the real focus of this holy season, increasing our love of God and neighbour. Our neigbour means everyone we know, especially those we are close to, and it is not always easy. We all need God's help to love as He does.

It is when we live out in our lives our love for God and for others that we are truly fulfilling our Lenten commitment. Our love for God can be our motivation for the particular commitment we choose for Lent.

Similarly, our love of neighbour can be our motivation. Obviously we might choose to help in a soup kitchen for love of neighbour, but there are other choices we can make which might be less obviously for love of neighbour.

For example, we might stop smoking, not for ourselves only, but in order to assure a smoke free area for those around us. We might make serious efforts to not use foul language, not for ourselves only, but for the benefit of those around us. We can even strive to lose weight, not for ourselves only, but to benefit others.

Whatever we do during these 40 days, we must do it in union with Jesus Christ. We cannot save ourselves, only God can.

God saves us through Christ. Our salvation rests in our becoming Christ-like. Seek to be Christ-like!

A blessed Lent to one and all.