Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

Lent is that period running from Ash Wednesday and leading up to the celebration of Easter.  It is the time where we, as Christians, seek to prepare ourselves for the miracle of the Resurrection.  This preparation, both physical and mental, comes from many    different sources that have evolved over time.  Denying ourselves personal luxuries, fasting, and seeking through prayer and penance to purify our thoughts and body bring us into a stronger relationship with God.  Then and only then are we truly ready for the  celebration, for the rejoicing in the Resurrection of Christ.  But beyond our rejoicing,  this is also a time where we should reflect on the sacrifices and suffering of our Lord, 

seeking a more complete understanding of what that means to us and to the world, what it means to be a disciple of Christ, and what we need to do to truly transform our world and bring about His kingdom on earth.  As Peter notes in his letter, our immediate need this Lenten season is the humbling of ourselves to the will of the Father and, through that humility, be lifted up to become a true Christian, a true disciple of the Lord, an agent truly committed to transformation!

A Prayer from the Catholic Church for this Lenten season:

“Almighty and Everlasting God, You have given the human race Jesus Christ our    Savior as a model of humility.  He fulfilled Your will by becoming Man and giving His life on the cross.  Help us to bear witness to You by following His example of suffering and make us worthy to share in His resurrection.  We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.

Contributed by Dave Hall