True Meaning of Lent

My goodness! It's been a while since the last blog's been put up. Where does the time go to?! Whew. Makes you realize how quickly time passes and how attuned we need to be to the graces in front of us right now.

Being in the season of Lent...it struck me how different one's approach to Lent can be depending on how it is perceived. Some see it as a time of "giving up". A time that we hope passes by quickly so that we can eat what we want to eat and go about life as we always do - without much thought. I recall Lent being a time of negatives - don't do this, can't do that, etc.

In reality, Lent is a grace-filled time which gives us an opportunity to grow in our willingness and ability to love the Lord more freely. I was recently given an article touching upon the transforming effects of love. It beautifully stated that in "falling in love with someone, the beloved, who before was one of many, or perhaps unknown, suddenly becomes the only one, the sole person in the world who interests us. Everything else is left behind and becomes a neutral background. A very real transfiguration takes place..." Lent simply put, is a time in which we are called to love more deeply, more completely, more freely. It's a time of stripping away and emptying so as to be made wholly His. Lent speaks of love - allowing ourselves to be transfigured by His love for us and our love for Him.