The Landscape sings for us a joyful song. " .. .
You provide for the earth you drench its furrows.
You level it .. . soften it with showers
You bless its growth" (Psalm 65)
We have come to a springtime of healing and of hope. Through the holy door of Ash Wednesday we enter on the pilgrim path of repentance, of conversion, and of awakening wisdom that leads us, in Scripture light, to a grace-filled Easter. With Baptism graces remembered and renewed we travel daily to meet the Risen Christ who welcomes us at journey's end. Lent calls us to reject falsehood and folly. Casting away our wardrobe of disguises and of masks we stand before the Truth.
"Repent and believe the Gospel. Remember you are dust and into dust you shall return". Celtic Tiger and Golden Calf, like all idols, can sadden, disappoint and finally betray. We cry to God each light-filled day in Lent: "You have made us for yourself, O God, and our hearts are forever restless till they find rest there in you." Lord, teach us how to pray!
Lent is not a time for sadness or despair. The Son of God still comes to save. The call and promise of our consecrating Baptism and Confirmation (with still shining hope) comes daily before the reflecting mind. What now of the cleansing water, the spotless robe, and the shining light? Of the infant John the Baptist the question was asked: "What, think you, will this child turn out to be?" Such query was raised in hope for each of us. What answer now to offer in this holy, healing Lent? Cardinal Newman leads to limpid waters of saving truth lest we drink from poisoned wells. He points, as always, to our Redeeming Christ:
"Life passes. Riches fly away. Popularity is fickle. The senses decay. The world changes and friends die. One alone is constant. One alone is true to us. One alone can be fully true. One along can be all things to us".
We do no travel alone. No one is an island. Our Lenten sincerity will shine out in our generous care for those who are sick, or lonely or in need. "Whatever you did for the least of my people you did it for me!" Scripture prayer and Saving Sacrament must be allowed to flower in charity unfeigned. Only then will our sacred song echo with the harmony of Truth. St Augustine calls to us, in Lent, to sing in generous resolve, a song that is, like spring-time, ever new.
"Sing to the Lord a new song," "But I do sing," you may reply. "You sing, of course you sing! I can hear you. But make sure that your life sings the same tune as your mouth. Sing with your voices, sing with your hearts, sing with your lips, sing with your lives . . . "
We go forward in hope made new.
F.MacN.