And So It Begins

Lisa Simmons explains how our Lenten focus needs to be on filling our souls with the good, leaving no room for evil.

It's still early in Lent and the pounding has begun. The incessant little spitting rain in your face as you try to begin a good work during Lent. The nagging worry that creeps up on you just as you come out of Mass feeling like this Lent is going to be better than last year. The bad news that robs the joy right out from under your feet like a rug being tugged away. 

We've all experienced it.

We try so very hard to get Lent right, to begin a new good habit, get rid of the worry that drags us into sin. Yet every time that gnawing, spitting bit of eroding rain eats away our good intentions and we lapse back into settling for giving up meat on Friday, or chocolate.

Why does it happen?

Just like nature abhors a vacuum, evil abhors anyone doing anything good. It rushes right in where it's missing in something and tries to fill it up with bad again. We take one step forward in a good work, leaving hate and sorrow behind, only to get hit with something that disturbs our peace.

Lent isn't meant to beat you up. It is meant to prepare your heart, to clean it up for Easter. #catholicmom

I think this is why the Church encourages us to fill ourselves with good readings, with prayers and devotions. We need to fill that space of negative that we are trying to rid ourselves of with lots of good. We can't let it sit empty at the risk of the old negative back-filling it again.

So find something good to read during this Lent. I love the book I found called The Little Way of Lent: Meditations in the Spirit of St. Therese of Lisieux. But it can be anything. Our parish this year is giving away a free book called Into His Likeness by Dr. Edward Siri. It can be anything spiritual or meditative, but it needs to help you look upwards to God, give you peace of mind and not cause you to worry. It needs to soothe your soul. 

Lent isn't meant to beat you up. It is meant to prepare your heart, to clean it up for Easter. We want to rejoice in the Resurrection, not beat ourselves into the dirt beneath the cross. Because if we are only looking down, groveling in the dirt, we don't experience the forgiveness Jesus died for, we don't soar with Him towards Heaven and the love God has for us.

Give it a try this Lent.

See how it can change your journey of faith and always remember, God loves you so very much!

Copyright 2021 Lisa Simmons
Images: Pixabay (2020); Pixabay (2016)