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There was an archbishop who would begin his homily on the First Sunday of Lent, "I don't want to see the same faces here today on Easter Sunday." The point of the archbishop's pointed remark: Live these 40 days to be changed.

Lent is well underway. The Lenten promises of Ash Wednesday might have faded somewhat from the mind. Now we feel guilty about what we promised and haven't fulfilled. That is really missing Lent.

Don't complicate Lent. Our fasting and good deeds should not put us at the center of Lent. Lent can be a time to "chill out" to be less stressed and less busy in order to be better givers.

Let not Lent be about self. Let not Lent become centered on self-improvement to the exclusion of a deeper understanding of others.

Recall our suggestion at the beginning to develop a motto: "God first; others second; me third." The recent understanding of a healthy Lent has emphasized positive acts of love and compassion.

Take time to be with those who need time. Be generous with those who need our help. Be open to God's call to love. The temptations Jesus faced in the Gospel on the First Sunday of Lent are the same as ours. The greatest temptations are always about control: control over things, control over people and attempting to control God.

Make a personal Lenten list of the attributes you need to change. Prioritize the items on your list. You now have a measuring line: How will did I do today?

Experts say that it takes 30 days to change a habit. We have 40 days.

At the end of Lent, some lament, "I am the same person as I was when Lent began." But it's our choice: How healing will Lent be this year?

(Father Rosson is pastor of St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Church, Cooperstown.)

Editor's note: During the holy season of Lent, we will feature a weekly commentary on its various aspects and observance.

(03/04/10) [[In-content Ad]]

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