This year, 2021, we again begin a Lent marked by Covid. This past year has been filled with making adjustments to “the way we have always done things”.
In the midst of a time fraught with upheaval and irregularity, the Church continues to journey with regularity through the liturgical year, a constant movement toward the Paschal Mysteries.
This constancy of the liturgical year helps us to keep our perspective on our real purpose: ultimate happiness and union with God in eternity. Every part of the liturgical calendar brings us into contact with the mysteries of Christ’ life so that we can apply the merits He gained to our own lives.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, in speaking of the liturgical year, reminds us: “In the course of the year, moreover, she [the Church] unfolds the whole mystery of Christ. . . . Thus recalling the mysteries of the redemption, she opens up to the faithful the riches of her Lord’s powers and merits, so that these are in some way made present in every age; the faithful lay hold of them and are filled with saving grace” (1163).
The difficulties of the past (and current) year in the midst of a world-wide pandemic can easily make one feel a sense of vertigo, a loss of equilibrium. However, as Christians we remain rooted in our firm assurance that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Heb 13:8).
We move together with the Universal Church into the penitential season of Lent, in which we seek to prepare ourselves for the culmination of the mystery of Christ (His work of Redemption by His passion, death and resurrection). Though we are caught up in the pressing concerns of our world in its current situation, we must not allow ourselves to be sidetracked from the importance of engaging seriously in this season of repentance and renewal.
The Roman Lenten Stations begin each day with a prayer: “Lent comes providentially, to reawaken us, to shake us from our spiritual torpor…”
Let this time, even (or especially) in the midst of Covid chaos and tumult, not be wasted or forgotten. Let us truly take advantage of this time to “reawaken”, to be “shaken” from spiritual sleepiness or inactivity so that we may fully participate in the joy of the Resurrection and so that, “When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Col 3:3).
May our Mother, Mary, who stood at the foot of the Cross, bring us closer to her Son during this Lent.
