Lent is a
season that calls for an inner transformation and transform in our external
action. Fasting during lent does not mean only fasting or abstaining from food.
It is a time that calls for a wholesome transformation that is transformation from
Ø Selfishness to Selflessness
Ø
Hatred to Love
Ø
Accusations to
Appreciation
Ø
Anger to Forgiveness
Ø
Enmity to Friendship
Ø
Confusion to Precision
Ø
Fighting to Peacefulness
Ø
Unfaithfulness to
Faithfulness
Ø
Sexual pleasure to
True Love
Ø
Anxiety to Joy
Ø
Insecurity to
Security
Ø Doubt to Trust
The first words from the list are areas that
destroy love and ruin life. The second are virtues that give life, increase
love, and set people free. Lent is a season that helps people to be free from
the bondage of sin and stained relationship. It helps us to be united with God
and with our fellow human being. When we follow the virtues that lent offers us
we will become a person of love, joy and fulfilment. We will obtain the highest
stage of needs that Maslow speaks about in his theory of hierarchy of needs.
Life is not a bed or roses always. There are
thorns, trials, hardship which we can call as daily crosses. We have to walk
through these daily crosses patiently and with determination like Jesus. Aim to
Love, Serve, Forgive and give life to people always. People might slap, abuse,
insult, threaten or beat us in our journey. God’s love for us is unconditional and because
of His unconditional love he could bear all the suffering and finally reveal
the joy of glory in Easter. So when we do things for Love and for building life
we will face problems and difficulties but never lose hope for this is an act
of unconditional love and it will lead us to the resurrection and joy of
Easter.
When
Lent provides us such a good opportunity to live a transformed and life of
freedom should we not take it seriously in our lives?
Written by
Medosanu WeO and Shaining Star Lyngdoh Marshillong
Date: 22/2/2015