A Morose Time—or a Lovely Time Lent to Us?
Somehow our traditional outlook on the Season of Lent is somewhat morose. The season is stressed as a time for penance, fasting, abstinence, penitential practices of every sort! In more religious times, children were counselled to give up sweets, avoid singing of songs or playing music. No radio or TV, no parties etc., etc.
How we have distorted this gracious season and made of our God, a kill-joy!
Lent—a time “lent” by God to us, is a time of preparation to be reconciled with our God who is head-over-heels in love with us, who loves us more than we can ever even love ourselves! He made us to His own image and likeness, and wants to see us grow in this likeness to Him. Not for any gain for Himself, but because this alone will bring us true happiness, the type this world cannot give us nor take away from us.
The “Scandalous” Parables
Let us look at some passages in the Gospel:
A man has a hundred sheep. He misses one of them, leaves the ninety-nine in the desert and goes off looking for the lost sheep. When he finds it, he is so happy that he carries it home on his shoulders, rejoicing! (Luke 15:4-6)
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Sr Esme da Cunha FDCC
