Lenten Serendipity!
Fr Fio Mascarenhas
Lent is a time of spiritual serendipity, a time to rediscover personally, with new wonder and joy, the basics of Christianity. Christianity is not just “one more religion” of rules and outward religious observances, but “a way of life”. The early Christians were called “Followers of the Way” (Acts 9:2; 11:26), and today’s Christians too must be similarly recognised. They must “know” Jesus Christ and love Him enough to allow their thought patterns, values and relationships to be influenced on a daily basis by Jesus’ Gospel. In answer to the question Jesus put to Peter, “Who do YOU say I am?” (Mk 8:29), a 21st century Christian must answer, not in generic terms that people of all faiths might use (e.g. “In fact you are a great man of God”) or with spontaneous clichés learnt in catechism classes long-ago (e.g. “You are the Christ,” etc), but with full personal conviction and enthusiasm, “You are my cherished way to fullness of LIFE!” During the 40 days of Lent, let us make efforts to renew our “Christian” convictions and strengthen our “Christian” character.Many “Opening Prayers” of our Sunday Masses describe well the implications of Christian discipleship for modern times. One such prayer asks that “sin might never ensnare us with empty promises of passing joy”, but that our “joy might be holy, and our love give life”. Another prayer asks, “Let the light of your truth guide us to your Kingdom through a world filled with lights contrary to your own.
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