As Ash Wednesday (Feb. 18) approaches, Bishop Edward Malesic offered a Lenten reflection for Theology on the Rocks West attendees. He had suggestions on how to prepare for the Lenten season and how to make it more meaningful.
“It’s amazing to see so many people here who love our faith,” the bishop said, scanning the crowd of more than 200 people. Attendees included a group of candidates from St. Raphael Parish in Bay Village who will participate in the diocesan Feb. 22 Rite of Election as they prepare to become members of the Church.
“My hope this evening is to take you on a short journey, beginning with Ash Wednesday,” Bishop Malesic said, “and then walking through the Lenten Sunday Gospel readings.”
Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation, yet churches often are filled with people, he said, noting it’s a perfect day to welcome people who have been away from the Church or those who are curious about it.
“Fast from your screens for 15 minutes each day,” the bishop said, suggesting people may want to give up something else such as alcohol, sweets or chocolate. “But most importantly, God wants you to fast from sin. Replace bad habits (vices) with good ones (virtue) … Make an intention to form a good habit and become more virtuous over the 40 days of Lent.”
The First Sunday of Lent, the Gospel talks about Jesus being led into the desert to be tempted by the devil, who does not want us to become holy. “Lent is running away from sin so we can run toward God,” the bishop said. He reminded the group that by baptism, we became beloved sons and daughters of God. “God delights in you. Resist the devil’s temptations by using the power of God’s name.” Praying, fasting and almsgiving “are like insect repellant to the devil,” the bishop added.
The Second Sunday of Lent, the Gospel tells the story of the transfiguration, which he said is like “the trailer for the Resurrection … The transfiguration tells us there is more to come, more to anticipate, more to get excited about – our own glorification, our own resurrection.” Someday, we will be saints, glorified Jesus, he added.
The Third Sunday of Lent, the Gospel story is about the Samaritan woman at the well with whom Jesus strikes up a conversation. He asked her for a drink because he was thirsty, but he was also thirsty for her heart – and our hearts – the bishop explained. “Prepare for Lent by recognizing God’s thirst for your heart.” He encouraged the group to look at the dry areas or deserts in their lives, the empty places where we are thirsty for God.
The Fourth Sunday of Len – Laetare Sunday – is a day of joy, an oasis in the Lenten desert. The Gospel tells the story of the blind man healed by Jesus. Many of us have had moments when our eyes were opened, perhaps at a retreat, healing after suffering a great loss, a time of prayer or seeing the face of Jesus in the Eucharist. “Get ready to be blessed by Jesus during Lent,” Bishop Malesic said.
The Fifth Sunday of Lent’s Gospel is the story of Lazarus, a friend of Jesus who died. Friendship with Lazarus and his family was important to Jesus, the bishop said. When Lazarus died, Jesus wept. He said the story illustrates that none of us walks alone through life; holy friendships matter. “And please be sure to make friends with Jesus. He wants to share a meal with you – the Eucharist – and sometimes have a good laugh with you, too,” he added.
The Gospel on the final Sunday of Lent, Palm Sunday, tells a story of betrayal, violence, sin and suffering, the bishop said. “We see how Jesus enters into the muck and mud of our human lives. He doesn’t avoid our pain, he redeems it. He does battle with sin on the cross and forgives it. On the cross, he dies to put death to death … On the cross, we find how much God loves us.”
The bishop said when preparing for Lent, we should pray to increase our awareness of God’s love, fast from sin to be able to receive his love and give alms/do good to share God’s love with those he sends our way.
“Use Lent to get ready for Easter,” he said, noting that it “goes beyond 40 days. It’s a time for dryness, struggle and preparation.”
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