And, last but not least: there must be an effort and a decision to
=slow down= our life, to put in as much quiet, silence, contemplation,
meditation. Radio, TV, newspapers, social gatherings--all these things,
however excellent and profitable in themselves, must be cut down to a
real minimum. Not because they are bad, but because we have something
=more important= to do, and it is impossible to do without a change
of life, without some degree of =concentration= and discipline. Lent
is the time when we =re-evaluate= our life in the light of our faith,
and this requires a very real effort and discipline. Christ says that a
=narrow path= leads to the kingdom of God and we must make our life as
narrow as possible. At first the natural and selfish man in us revolts
against these limitations. He wants his usual "easy life" with all its
pleasures and relaxations. But once we have tasted of such spiritual
effort, once we have made by it one step towards God, the reward is
great! We discover a joy that cannot be compared to any other joy.
We discover the reality of the spiritual world in us. We begin to
understand what St. Paul meant by "the joy and peace in the Holy Spirit."
=God Himself enters our soul=: and it is this wonderful coming that
constitutes the ultimate end of Lent:
"If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will
love him and we will come unto him and make our abode with
him." (John 14:23)
Let us make =this= Lent a real Lent!
* * * * *
For a fuller treatment of the meaning of Lent, cf. the book =GREAT
LENT=, also written by Rev. Alexander Schmemann.
* * * * *