We all know that Lent is a time of reflection, of change, of conversion. It is like a path of spiritual rebirth, moving towards the NEW FIRE in the Easter celebration. Often, this time of change goes unnoticed by each of us, as we settle for external attitudes of renunciation, fasting, penance, without allowing ourselves to be touched by the person of Jesus who impels us towards the other, allowing Lent to truly transform our lives.
Our existence undergoes several transformations; we are in constant change and we always give off AROMAS that attract or repel those around us. The time of Lent is the moment to look for the fragrance that can be a good aroma on the road we travel, so that it absorbs all our essence and lives intensely the logic of Lent, which is to RESURCISE.
GOOD FRAGRANCE puts us in tune with reconciliation with ourselves, with others and with God. This is the great path of Lent: RECONCILIATION. We need to ask ourselves constantly on this path: WHERE AND WITH WHAT, OR WITH WHOM SHOULD I RECONCILIATE?
On this path of inner transformation and renewal, we must leave behind the old habits so that the new man and the new woman are born in the heart. This rescues our look of hope for a new beginning, a new Easter.
Our current reality shows that we live in a culture of indifference, individualism, intolerance, prejudice… everything is transitory, and so, at times, we allow ourselves to be enveloped by this transience and miss the opportunity to live our day to day life more intensely as a blessing. Lent challenges us to RISE from our own ashes, to let go of the ephemeral and let ourselves be intoxicated by the FRAGANCE of the Resurrection.
«You are all brothers and sisters» (Mt 23:8), this is the fragrance that we must take leave of, experienced in this Lenten season. Our faith reminds us of this BROTHERHOOD, where the other is always brother and sister; without this awareness, there is no Easter.
Reflecting on the Passion of Jesus during this time, with its climax at Easter, warms and enlightens our being to reach this deeper connection with God, who invites us to be heralds of the message of mercy and hope, joy and love of this great Easter experience. May the experience of this Lent help us to «Enlarge the space of our tent» (cf. Is 54:2), opening us to the NEW FRAGANCE that impels us to continue seeking and building this new dream of fraternity.
We ask the Holy Spirit to sustain our march, to help us not to stop along the way, since we are pilgrims in this life. May He allow us to always give off the good fragrance, advancing along the Lenten path and infecting those who seek to feel in us the love of Jesus….
Lord Jesus, allow us to live this time as a grace and gift in changing our own way of being and being. It challenges us to go out of ourselves with all that distances us from You. It invites us to welcome your risen presence, leading us to live the Lenten walk in this inner desert, breaking our masks and opening ourselves to the birth of this new life, which is me. So be it.
Sister Julia Maria da Silva Irio, tc
Mother of the Good Shepherd Province