Lent as a “favorable time”
A Combonian missionary’s reflection on Lent as a “favorable” time to make a pilgrimage to one’s own heart
In the liturgical season of Lent, we renew our sincere commitment to conversion in order to be with Jesus pilgrims of hope.
“Repent to me with all your heart” (Jl 2:12), we have heard in these days, which Paul in his letter to the Corinthians calls a ‘favorable time’ (2 Cor 6:2).
Yes, it is a time to prepare our hearts for the great Easter joy.
It is a favorable time, an opportune time, a time of grace, a time of hope, certainly not a time of sadness or going to head, but a time of creativity and trust in the Lord.
It is a “favorable” time, even more so at this dramatic time of wars, of strong political, social and economic instability, to make life and peace triumph.
I propose that you make a pilgrimage during this Lent 2025: it is not about going to a shrine, a “retiring” basilica, a place of worship, but to make a pilgrimage, each one to his or her own heart.
Because that is where everything is at stake. Our heart is the field where we play this game, which is like a final!
We get to our heart, and do a massive cleansing operation,
washing it clean of all guilt, of all attachments, of all addictions, of all wickedness,
from every negative feeling, from every inability to forgive and reconcile.
And since we know that this great cleansing operation cannot be accomplished by ourselves, we ask God to help us: “O God, create in me a pure heart, renew me within with a steadfast spirit” (Ps. 50:12).
Let us take advantage of this time of grace to reconcile with God through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, meditating on His Word, being daily artisans and weavers of reconciliation and fraternity, living the works of mercy, spiritual and corporal, so that we can also reconcile with others.
Happy Lent 2025!