As we enter into the season of Lent, a good question to ask ones self is what is your attitude about it this year?

What do the thoughts about lent evoke in you?

Are you excited in a joyful way?

Are you anxious?

Are you looking forward to completely handing yourself over to our Lord?

Are you reserved?

Are you wondering how you will get through it again and will there be a change in you, or will it be just like last lent?

A good place to start Lent is with these question. Followed up with: What are you hoping for?

For a long time I would look at Lent as being on the same level as dieting for a special occasion. Man I need to get rid of 10 pounds right now and when ______________ is over, I can go right back to eating all that stuff I love again.  Totally wrong in my attitude.

Lent is not a spiritual yo-yo diet plan for a special day, in which we trudge through it, complaining and suffering until we lose the weight and hope to go back to being exactly as we were when it’s over. It is a change for LIFE.

Lent is an exit ramp from a life of mortal sin and selfish ambition. It is a choice to follow our Lord, to enter into Him, and become obedient once again, not because we have to, but because we love Him in return.

Have you ever heard someone say, or have you yourself, like I have said:  Ugh! I can’t go to the game because I HAVE to go to Church. Or, I can’t go with you to the beach today because my mom is making me to to Mass. Or, Why do I have to do all this stuff, isn’t Jesus everywhere anyway?

Yes, Jesus is everywhere anyway, BUT, making the “choice” to love Him back, and to be obedient to Him, is no different than falling in love with a perspective spouse or hanging out with your best Friend whom you love dearly and share everything with. When we love in return, Church, nor obedience is no longer a “chore” we are forced to do and painful. It is rather a CHOICE we make, to be with the One we love above all else instead. Ones attitude changes from discord to joy, and becomes , I GET to spend time at Mass with our Lord! Rather than I HAVE to go. Therefore, Lent is our way to ENTER into this place to fall in love with Him. When we love in return, obedience to whom we love, comes natural. We change from one who can’t be bothered to listen to Him, to one who intently is listening for Him. Thereby practicing and acting on His direction and not that of the worlds.

I pray for attitudes to change this year, that our hearts of stone, become flesh again, and can accept the gifts our Lord wants to give to us all. That of Himself, completely.

Blessed Lent to all and may we come to know the One who loves us all. The One who came to set us free from our sins, from our lives of misery, and to give us Himself.