take advantage of transformation this lent

Don’t let Lent pass you by this year.

Lent is a great spiritual journey to become closer to God. It begins with Ash Wednesday, and runs through the Sacred Triduum that includes Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. During the Triduum we remember Christ’s Passion, ending at the Easter Vigil on Saturday evening and culminating in celebration on Easter Sunday.

When Easter arrives, Lent has finally ended and the joy begins.

Christ’s resurrection has happened and the most profound Christian feast of the entire liturgical year arrives. This is the celebration of Christ’s victory over sin and death gained for us by his passion, death, and resurrection.

If there is no passion and death then there is no resurrection. If we cannot learn how to suffer just a little with Jesus during Lent then how can we really feel the joy of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday?

This penitential season is becoming more profound for me every year.

I’ve learned to take the time to slow down, pray, and really experience a transformation in body and soul. It doesn’t have to be heavy to be profound. I can come together in community with all the other Catholics in the world to immerse myself in prayer–growing closer to the Lord while experiencing the health benefits of weight loss and drinking less at the same time. This is all done by managing emotions.

Of course, Lent is a Church Season that is quite somber as we contemplate the shortness of our life here on earth and how Jesus was crucified on the cross, dying for our sins. In the Creed we recite, “he was crucified, died, and was buried.” He died for us. Let that sink in. He felt deep pain for us, but then arose again, leading us to new life in him. We know the ending and it is JOYFUL.

That’s what I’m going for in Lent 2022, a little physical fasting discomfort for a few weeks offered for spiritual purpose and then waking to a new life in Christ on Easter morning. Come join me!