Lenten Joy?

Living in the Present

March is Women’s History Month—a time to honor the remarkable achievements and contributions of women throughout history and in today’s world. And this week we danced an Irish jig on St. Patrick’s Day. Today we celebrate St. Joseph who followed his dreams in the daytime of falling in love with Mary and in the twilight heeding the directions from the Almighty. Next week the calendar marks the Feast of the Annunciation marking nine months until Christmas. All this while Lent overshadows them all. Living in the present moment helps us take each occasion to reflect on its meaning. Whatever the meaning or message, Lent beckons us to be aware, pay attention, and become absorbed as in our Franciscan actions of gazing, considering, and contemplating so that we can better imitate Jesus.

A Call to Continual Conversion

Today we are marked with ashes, a sign that is rich for Third Order Regular Franciscans committed to continual conversion. How will we emerge from Lent after these forty days? What will blossom from within us for the Easter parade? Will this Lent be the same old routine, or can we think of some newness?  

Some thoughts roaming around for me like Sr. Timothy Marie Flaherty would say, "Lent will come to you, perhaps in some new loss or a new health issue or a hurt. Just be ready to receive God's penance." I'm considering being a bit kinder rather than fasting from what goes into my mouth. Maybe I will pause and relish some beauty in my night prayer each day and abstain from obsessing too much on the ugliness in the news. I could downsize a bit and clear out areas of clutter giving my excess away? Whatever you discern, let us be intentional about this season for the world needs our penitential witness this year.

Entering the Triduum

We are entering into the most sacred days of our Church calendar. The Triduum encourages us to remember, to break bread, to wash feet, to tell stories, to experience great sadness and exultant joy. The emotions run high and deep. We walk with Jesus and we walk with each other. Mostly our hearts long for the silence that great sadness and exultant joy need in order to be fully integrated into our lives. It is the opportunity to spend time with the greatest transformation we will ever experience, from death to new life. It is the greatest transformation and one we witness every day of our lives should our eyes be open to see.

I pray you will find the silence you need this Holy Week and experience once more a touch of new life. 

Sr. Joyce Shanabarger