Lent: a time for change

February 13 , 2002
Ash Wednesday

Most Reverend José H. Gomez
Auxiliary Bishop of Denver

Catholics of northern Colorado are used to the beauty of the changing seasons: the gold and bronze shades of fall, the white mantle of winter snow, the multicolor bloom of spring, and the radiant green and red of the trees and mountains illuminated by the summer sun. Each season has its own special splendor, and each is a preparation for the next.

Once again, we find ourselves at the beginning of a new liturgical season, Lent. In my years as a priest, I have noticed that Catholics often approach the different liturgical seasons with indifference, not knowing their meaning and why they exist. This is sad, because to ignore the liturgical seasons is like ignoring the beautiful change of seasons. Each liturgical time, like each season, has its own richness and beauty.

Lent is one of the most intense seasons of the Catholic calendar. The main characteristic of Lent is conversion. And even though this is a constant task for every Christian, the Church offers this special time for us to grow closer to the Lord Jesus through three practical means: penance (also called fasting), prayer and charity (sometimes called almsgiving).

One way to offer sacrifice this Lent is to carry patiently the difficulties of our daily life, especially when things don't go according to our plan. It is also good to renounce things that we indulge ourselves with as rewards — deserved or not — and to offer this renunciation to God.

Prayer does not need explanation, but in a culture that seems to dread silence, even for an encounter with God and with oneself, it is necessary to insist on its importance.

Amidst the activities of life we can find it difficult to squeeze in time for God, but somehow we manage to make time to do other things we consider important. To pray often only requires an authentic desire to do so; sometimes it can be as simple as turning off the car radio and lifting our minds and hearts to God.

Charity is the third practice of Lent. Let us recall what St. John of the Cross said: "In the evening of our lives, we will be judged only for one thing: love." Always, but especially during Lent, we have opportunities to practice charity. We can be present to members of our family who are lonely, sad, distressed or in need of assistance. We can be there for neighbors who need a friendly hand, classmates, co-workers, strangers, and in a very special way, with our brothers and sisters who are poor and needy, to whom a gesture of generosity can make a big difference.

Let us not allow this special liturgical time to pass without leaving a significant mark in our lives. God asks us to change, but it won't happen without our cooperation.