Happy Lent!

Now, I have no intention of making this blog a forum for religion or anything related to it, but I do have to share the homily that was given at Ash Wednesday Mass by Father Eric Knapp at St. Francis-Xavier church this week. I will state that if you and I have ever discussed religion, you will know that my opinion about religion is that it is simply a channel for people to express their faith (or lack thereof). I draw a distinct line between religion and faith. God doesn’t care so much about religion, I don’t think. What I think really matters is faith. Believing in something. Acknowledging a spiritual side to your soul. Living your life in a way that is fulfilling to you, leaving a positive mark on the world, treating others as you would like to be treated. I happen to choose to practice Catholicism as one way to express my faith, although I do not buy into the belief that it is the only true religion or that Catholics have it all figured out. Isn’t that the beauty of mystery?

 

But anyway, I digress. Father Knapp started his homily on Wednesday by saying quite joyfully, “Happy Lent!” When he was met with a thousand blank stares from the packed pews, he repeated himself a little louder, “Happy Lent!” The congregation responded with a semi-enthused, “Happy Lent.”

 

We’re all thinking to ourselves, “Happy Lent?? Is this guy nuts? I’m gearing myself up to abstain from red wine and chocolate for the next 6 weeks. There is nothing happy about that!”

 

Ah, but in a time of depressing headlines and gray sky weather, Father Knapp had a different idea – a message of hope and joy. He reminded us that the season of Lent (the 46 days leading up to Easter) is a time of preparation. We ought to be joyfully preparing to celebrate Easter, not by giving up things that we love and enjoy (like red wine and chocolate, thank you very much), but rather by trying to rid our lives of things that don’t actually enrich our lives. Not depriving ourselves of things that make us happy, but doing away with things that may even take away from true happiness. For me, that would be cussing. (I know my Dad loves it when I drop the accidental f-bomb in his presence, so he will be happy to hear of my Lenten “sacrifice.”)

 

I have been musing on this message for a couple days now, and thought that perhaps it would be one worth sharing since it isn’t exactly a religion thing, but more about how we live our lives day-to-day. “Giving up” a habit or practice or thought-process that may be toxic to the joy in our lives is a great theme. Not just for Lent and those that observe it, but for all of us! So perhaps as we all anxiously await spring and the end of dismal, cold days, it is a good time to “spring clean” our lives of the things that take away from hope and joy and make room for the good things. Like red wine and chocolate…

 

Happy Lent!