Willingness: A Virtue to Develop This Lent

Ellen Mongan describes Lent as a season of grace, offering encouragement to allow God to work in our hearts during this season.

“It’s Lent!” I proclaim in my best cheerleader voice. My memory quickly reminds me that I am almost always this enthusiastic during the first week of Lent. I sport my ashes on my forehead proudly with a smile. Like a badge of courage, this outward display of faith calls me to a deeper walk with Christ. The words said on Ash Wednesday, “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust,” replay in my mind all day, reminding me of the shortness of life.

I love our Catholic traditions and how special each Church season is: Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, and Easter. Lent is a season to pause, reflect, and examine. Unlike the business of Christmas, where there is too much to do and no time to do it, Lent gives our lives and our hearts time to breathe. This provides a time to begin the spiritual work of repentance in the quietness of prayer. The confidence of knowing how much God loves us gives us the desire to look soberly at the mirror of our souls. We are ready and willing to begin cleaning the inside again. We wait patiently for God to transform us, knowing that one cannot rush a work of God.

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Lent Is a Season of Grace

Lent is not a pass-fail test to dread. Instead, Lent is a season of grace where the Father calls you into greater intimacy with Him. In my life, I have found every Lent to be different. I begin Lent by asking God the Father what He wants me to do this Lent. Maybe some of you will do the same. It was not always that way for me. I used to devise a list of things to fulfill my Lenten duty of prayer, sacrifice, and alms. Then God showed me a better way.

One year, God called me to do little things with great love. My Lenten journey was quite fruitful. He led me to pray fervently, sacrifice in ways I would not have thought to, and give to others as he directed. Another time, He impressed upon my heart to just let me love you. It had been a challenging year in which many loved ones had died. I had also significantly suffered physically, having had seven falls. Only God knew how little I had to give.

God proceeded that year to refresh my soul in ways only He can do. He held me in my hurt and grief. Lastly, one year was quite a surprise. God said this year, “I do not want you to take on anything new. Instead, I want you to begin doing what I asked of you, which you have not done yet.” I quickly repented and discovered I must listen and obey when God prompts me to do something.

God works in our hearts. Lent is not about how much or how little we do, but the love behind it. Are we drawing closer to Him and walking in His ways? Our willingness pleases the Father more than our performance.

Saint Thecla: An Example of Willingness to Do What God Asks

According to the book 57 Stories of Saints, by  Anne Eileen Hefferman, FSP,  Saint Thecla is considered the first martyr among Christian women. Yet, she never died. Oh, they tried to kill her for her faith in Christ Jesus. She was put in chains to silence her and placed in a dark, filthy cell. Thecla put her trust In God alone. Then angels came from heaven into the cell to comfort her. They brought her before the governor, and when she refused to give up her faith, he ordered her to be burned at the stake.

Thecla made the Sign of the Cross and stood bravely among the flames in prayer, and the fire did not touch her. The governor ordered her to be taken to the arena and fed to the lions. She walked into the arena, calmly knelt, and peacefully prayed. The lion lay down and licked her feet. What have I learned from Saint Thecla? She was willing to accept and do what God asked of her.

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Let us consider our Lenten journey as a time to draw close to God, to rest in Him, and to do whatever He tells us. Ask Him what He would like you to do this Lent — and then be willing!

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