| "This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true." John 21:24 |
| "The Post and Courier" March 4, 2007 “Lent a reminder of life's gifts” By The Rev. Jeff Kirby |
Recently, some Christian denominations began the observance of Lent. It’s a peculiar season begun by the stark celebration of Ash
Wednesday. But with ashes, fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, what is the reason for this interesting season? Among other purposes, Lent is
meant to raise essential questions among people of goodwill and to remind Christian believers of principal tenets of the gospel. What kind of
questions and tenets could Lent seek to emphasize and enhance?
Among the many questions that Lent can provoke, the time period asks the person what is the meaning and purpose of his life. What is life all
about? What do I live for? From these core inquiries, dozens of specific questions develop and fill the minds and prayer of discerning people.
Lent, however, does not leave the person to a lonely search for answers, or to an empty quest for merely personal satisfaction. The season
seeks to present the answers of the Christian gospel, a message that is grounded in the love for God, oneself and one’s neighbor. The truths
given by Christianity show us that life is a gift and a mystery.
A person’s worldview radically changes as he comes to realize that his own life and the lives of those around him are not distractions to his
tasks or burdens to his freedom, but are truly and fully a gift that contributes and edifies him. Acknowledging the gifts of another person can
bring out a person’s own best self. The person is not called to live as a self-absorbed prisoner, but as a free, fully alive and loving neighbor
and friend.
Each person bears the struggles of love, family, work, money and related issues. These real problems of life can overwhelm and, at times,
strangle the person. So often, these problems can be universalized, and life itself seems to be one nig problem that must be coldly endured or
resolutely solved. But when life is approached not as a problem, but as a mystery that is daily lived and celebrated, with its good and bad,
then a person’s perspective of problems begins to positively change. The person realized his spiritual freedom, and while problems continue
and are real, a lightheartedness and joy covers and balances them. Life is seen as a blessed and exciting mystery.
The approach to life as a gift and mystery are two answers, which also serve as challenges and invitations, of the Lenten season. The ashes,
fasting, prayer and almsgiving are meant to remind us of the goodness of God who has created us, and of the freedom and joy that life is
meant to be for us. Lent asks us what life is about and what we live for. It gives us these sure answers and encourages us to walk the
Lenten message during the 40 days and throughout our lives.
The Rev. Jeff Kirby is a deacon of the Catholic Diocese of Charleston, studying moral theology in Rome.
Wednesday. But with ashes, fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, what is the reason for this interesting season? Among other purposes, Lent is
meant to raise essential questions among people of goodwill and to remind Christian believers of principal tenets of the gospel. What kind of
questions and tenets could Lent seek to emphasize and enhance?
Among the many questions that Lent can provoke, the time period asks the person what is the meaning and purpose of his life. What is life all
about? What do I live for? From these core inquiries, dozens of specific questions develop and fill the minds and prayer of discerning people.
Lent, however, does not leave the person to a lonely search for answers, or to an empty quest for merely personal satisfaction. The season
seeks to present the answers of the Christian gospel, a message that is grounded in the love for God, oneself and one’s neighbor. The truths
given by Christianity show us that life is a gift and a mystery.
A person’s worldview radically changes as he comes to realize that his own life and the lives of those around him are not distractions to his
tasks or burdens to his freedom, but are truly and fully a gift that contributes and edifies him. Acknowledging the gifts of another person can
bring out a person’s own best self. The person is not called to live as a self-absorbed prisoner, but as a free, fully alive and loving neighbor
and friend.
Each person bears the struggles of love, family, work, money and related issues. These real problems of life can overwhelm and, at times,
strangle the person. So often, these problems can be universalized, and life itself seems to be one nig problem that must be coldly endured or
resolutely solved. But when life is approached not as a problem, but as a mystery that is daily lived and celebrated, with its good and bad,
then a person’s perspective of problems begins to positively change. The person realized his spiritual freedom, and while problems continue
and are real, a lightheartedness and joy covers and balances them. Life is seen as a blessed and exciting mystery.
The approach to life as a gift and mystery are two answers, which also serve as challenges and invitations, of the Lenten season. The ashes,
fasting, prayer and almsgiving are meant to remind us of the goodness of God who has created us, and of the freedom and joy that life is
meant to be for us. Lent asks us what life is about and what we live for. It gives us these sure answers and encourages us to walk the
Lenten message during the 40 days and throughout our lives.
The Rev. Jeff Kirby is a deacon of the Catholic Diocese of Charleston, studying moral theology in Rome.