However, the
real truth isn’t whether we did or didn’t keep our Lenten do’s and don’ts. The deepest level of the matter is expressed
in Daniel 3:25, 34-43. Azariah “stood
up” in midst of the fire and prayed: “with
contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received.”
I just said above that it doesn’t matter whether or not we have
been faithful to what we wanted to sacrifice or what we wanted to do positively
for Lent. That’s not exactly accurate, because they are relatively important.
But, what we really need to look at with a discerning eye is the attitude with
which we either do something in imitation of Christ or we abstain from
something to link ourselves with Christ.
It’s our focus on Christ that is the key element in our Lenten
journey. It’s not so much what WE do (or
don’t do); the important thing is are we humbly and with contrite heart
approaching Christ, as Daniel counsels us.
I can get so judgmental and wrongly focused when I set out to do
something that is good, or that leads me in the right direction. Have you ever said after a prayer session (as
I have), “that wasn’t a very good prayer” or something like that in respect to
my prayer, fasting, or good resolutions? The problem with judgments like this
is that they can lead us to cease our attempts to pray, fast, get resolved,
etc., and that is certainly not a good thing. I may be distracted, but at least
I am trying to pray; and I need to trust that God sees it that way.
Humbly and with contrite heart, then, let us continue to
approach Jesus in this Lenten season. This time provides us the opportunity to
make such an approach to the Lord. It gives us the chance to be invited and
coaxed once again into solidarity with Christ. That is so much more important
than checking on ourselves to see if we’ve been good persons because of our
Lenten sacrifices or our acts of kindness that we proposed on or before Ash
Wednesday.
Here's a pretty good reflection on Daniel 3:25, 34-43.
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