Olympic games already feature in the news. We are amazed at the total dedication of those who aspire to compete. Nothing seems quite enough. All indulgence that is harmful has to be abandoned. Total physical fitness must be maintained. Instructions must be obeyed. Those medals, as all the athletes realise, will cost not less than everything.
The stadium and the endless training sessions were familiar to St Paul. "...You know many runners take part in the race but only one receives the prize. Run then in such a way as to win. Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last but we do it for one that will last forever. That is why I run straight for the finishing line
He compared himself to a boxer not wasting any punches, and taking great care not to be disqualified. People in Corinth got the message.
His words will sound across the world as Ash Wednesday awakens us to reality. "Now is the acceptable time Now is the day of salvation" We are not to allow our good gifts to be wasted and to go for nothing. The blessed ashes are a powerful symbol.
Remember you are dust, and into dust you will return Repent and accept the Gospel." Shrove Tuesday has lost much of its deep meaning. It was the day when, after the merry celebrations, people went to be "shriven", absolved and cleansed in the healing sacrament of repentance. In 1599 Thomas Dekker portrayed this in his still popular play The Shoemakers Holiday's.
We are familiar with Spring cleaning. In Lent we hope for cleaning and renewal of body, mind and heart. Will we be content to remain just as we are? Too well we know the truth suggested by Virgil. Easy is the descent to the underworld ... but to reverse our steps and ascend this is toil. This is our task
With Ovid and St Paul we can realise what is good, and approve of what fits our dignity. What we choose, and what we do may make a sad record. Much of human song and story tells of our folly. Paul assures us that our merciful Father makes us his friends through Christ. We become new. The old, sullied, sordid self is gone. Problems become opportunities. Even our sad failures provide challenge for new growth.
We check the landmarks of our faith as we set out on our journey to the holy mountain of Easter. We look at the map of life. Where are we? There may be need to turn and to seek new directions and not to stumble blindly in self made darkness. Christ's repeated call, "But I say to you ..." cannot be evaded. We look to the roots of our Christian living. The Lent en Scriptures demand an end to all pretence, to all acting of a part. Such a life style gives to us the hideous word "hypocrite". Who would choose this dreadful title?
"Reconciliation" is the key word in our Lenten programme. This means seeing, listening, accepting, touching and coming to know, in truth, those to whom we are reconciled. Our Lenten prayer recalls our Baptismal dignity and grace. If we are faithful we will indeed be healthy, developed, and, in fullest sense, alive. Our Lenten journey leads towards the saving mystery of Calvary and the empty tomb, with victory over evil and the abiding hope that will cause the Faster "Alleluia" to resound across the world.
And Christ will be the green leaves that will come,
At Easter from the sealed and guarded Tomb. (Patrick Kavanagh)