The anticipation

Well, it’s here. March has arrived and next week, daylight remains an hour later into the evening. It’s like you can almost smell the freshness of spring and imagine its beauty. It’s a feeling I believe most of us love.

But we know all to well, that before spring truly arrives, some bitter and surprising snowstorms may need to be dealt with. But, still, spring is so close.

Today, also marks the first Sunday of Lent, where we have begun our journey to Calvary. Forty days reminding us of our sinful nature and the penance we need to do to show our Lord how sorry we are that he had to nail every one of our sins to the Cross with him.  Yes, Lent brings with it a little pain, a little fasting, some abstaining, relinquishing some comforts we have grown accustom to. But, without these minor hardships, we could very easily miss out on the most important reason we are on this earth, to get to heaven.

If we look beyond the surprising elements nature may bring our way, we see spring, we anticipate spring, we can taste it as if it were already here. Lent is no different. If we look beyond these forty days to Good Friday, we see the ultimate sacrifice man could ever make for his brother or sister. For it was on that day, that the heavens opened for you and for me, “Today, you shall be with me in Paradise”

Spring will probably come as usual, although we don’t really have much control over nature towards spring. It will come when it is ready, whether we prepare or not it will arrive.

Good Friday will come as usual, too. But it will be here the same number of days after Ash Wednesday as it does every year, even during Leap Year. It will be here whether we prepare for it or not.

But, for those who prepare by enduring some fasting and penance, understand the significance of such an extraordinary event. They realize that there is so much at stake for their eternal salvation. They not only ask God for forgiveness by their prayers, actions and preparation, but are also showing God that they really do want heaven.

When the time comes, Jesus said, “He will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats”.
We have two choices this lent, and may our choice be one most pleasing to the one who died for our sins.  May your lent be spiritually uplifting, bringing you closer to God.