Lent is here. And with it comes the opportunity to change your life. The Lord goes into the desert for forty days to fast and pray, to be in solitude with His Father, to prepare Himself for the road to Calvary. Lent is the time when the Lord asks if we will join him there, if we will have the discipline to fast, to make time to pray, to connect with Him even if we’re tired or don’t feel like it. If we have the courage, Lent is when we find out just how open we are to making changes in our lives. Do we want to become better? Will we allow Jesus to transform us?
“God of Mercy, you gave us new life through baptism
— make us grow day by day in your likeness.”
“Make us grow day by day in your likeness.” This is what Lent is all about: allowing the Lord to come into our lives in a new way, to eradicate everything that is not helping us grow closer to Him, to reveal Himself to us more and more so that we can become like Him.
This can be a little daunting because, after all, change means effort, and sometimes it’s hard enough just getting through the days with all the responsibilities and obligations they hold. As so many of us say, “Life happens.” And we shouldn’t feel bad about that or be too hard on ourselves. But at the same time, let’s not waste Lent; it’s the perfect time to “get back in the game”!
One of the great things about our God is that He sees everything. He knows we’re busy, He knows we’re world-weary, and so He doesn’t make us do anything too difficult. All He requires is willing hearts and as much effort as we can muster. We go as far as we can and He meets us there. Whatever is going on in our lives, no matter how busy or how tired we are, now is the time. This is it.
The Lord gives us the next several weeks to draw close to Him, to say, “Jesus, I need you. Please help me love you more. Please show me what else I can do to become more like you.” Listen to His promise and claim it:
“When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you.
When you look for me, you will find me.
Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me.”
Jer. 29: 12-14
This Lent has only just begun. Just imagine how much the Lord has in store for you if you say “yes” to letting Him transform you. During the next week, find some time to spend with Jesus one-on-one, maybe even in Eucharistic Adoration if you can. Ask Him what ways you need to be re-created in His likeness — and for the grace to continually allow Him to do whatever’s necessary for that transformation. This week, let’s ditch “Life happens,” and adopt “Lent happens.”
