Dear Friend, 

Lenten Reflection by Rev. Msgr. Gerard McCarren, S.T.D.

Thinking of Lent, we tend to dread its note of discipline.  “What should I do for Lent?”  As we ask this question, we tend to think of the work or the difficulty involved, and we may experience self-doubt: “Can I do this for six weeks?”

May I suggest that we let another aspect of Lent take the lead?

To be sure, Lent includes our response to the Lord, and this season is an important reminder to us of that, since, as St. Benedict’s Rule reminds his monks, who were unable to maintain the single-minded devotion to the Lord that they should have throughout the year, “we urge the entire community during these days of Lent to keep its manner most pure and to wash away in this holy season the negligence of other times” (Rule, Chapter 49).

Indeed, Vatican II’s landmark Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (December 4, 1963) deems this season so important that it devotes two articles to Lent (nos. 109-110), where it gives no parallel treatment to the seasons of Easter, Advent and Christmas.  Every day of Lent is a high-priority liturgical day.

When we look closely at what that Constitution says, however, we see that “Lent is marked by two themes, the baptismal and the penitential.”  Lenten disciplines oriented to “recalling or preparing for Baptism” and “repentance,” notably as the Christian people “more diligently listen to the word of God and devote themselves to prayer,” prepare them “to celebrate the paschal mystery” (no. 109).

Everything is given to us in the Paschal Mystery.  Through it we are made adopted sons and daughters of the Father.  Death’s power yields to Resurrection.  Through it The Lord Jesus indwells us in the power of the Holy Spirit, and in the Spirit we are emboldened to proclaim the Good News.  When we prepare for Baptism, in which the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ is impressed upon us, or when we remember our Baptism (even as those baptized as infants cannot remember the event itself but can reflect upon the gift that always remains through the sacramental character of Baptism), we are put in touch with the gift of the Holy Trinity.  Our response, though crucially important, is but a footnote to the gracious relationship the Triune God has given to us.  “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Paul asks rhetorically (Romans 8:31).

To be sure, many Lenten Scripture Readings enjoin us to discipline, but many also speak of God’s tender mercy.  Perhaps if we listen especially to those sacred texts, we may find the inspiration and the courage to embrace whatever difficulties might be part of the Lent opening before us, whether chosen by us or given to us through life’s twists and turns.  Moreover, listening closely to the Lenten prayers at Mass, we shall be imbued with Christian hope, and perhaps, “as we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God’s commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love” (St. Benedict, Rule, Prologue, 49; see, e.g., Psalm 119:32).

Then we shall be able to say with the Psalmist, “Your face, Lord, do I seek” (Psalm 27:8).  Doing so, we who join in these daily reflections will focus on the gaze of Christ Jesus in powerful ways, contemplating how He beckons us to draw close so that we might experience His great love illuminating our hearts and bringing His light even into the dark places in and around us.

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Reverend Monsignor Gerard H. McCarren, S.T.D., was named Interim Rector/Dean of Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology for a period of one year, effective July 1, 2022.  He earned a B.A. from Yale University with majors in History and in Philosophy (Psychology track), an M.Div. from Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, and an S.T.L. and an S.T.D. in Systematic Theology from The Catholic University of America. He was named Spiritual Director for the Seminary effective July 1, 2004.  In Spring 2005, Monsignor McCarren was named Chaplain to His Holiness. From 2007 to 2016 he served as a Vatican appointee to the Joint Commission for Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the World Methodist Council.  Monsignor McCarren served as president of the Federation of Seminary Spiritual Directors (United States and Canada) from 2018-2022.