How Was Your Lent?

Remind and encourage your friends regularly. My one goal every lent is to make the best of it, and God has never let my efforts fall to futility.

I have found a close friend and uncannily kindred spirit in my boss, but am often subject to the battery of his questions.

“I think you are an intelligent guy, but I think it is such a waste that you subject yourself to the constrictions of this ancient religion.” “What if your God were just one of many,” he would ask, “seeking to gain power and acclaim above his contemporaries?” “Find your own truth.”

The nights I stay up pondering his questions are the true affliction.

Numerous recent missal readings involve the character of “the Word of God”, selected for this Lenten tide by the Church to emphasize Jesus’ presence and role in God’s plan even preceding the New Testament. In other scripture readings, the Church reminds us repeatedly how Christ was sent by the father not to condemn but to save, and is the pinnacle display of God’s love for us.

I have my answer. I know my God is mighty above all, because He stretched out his hands on the cross to say, “I love you this much.” If you ask me, no substance or quality in our reality is greater than love’s universal potence.

My friend offers me the one thing I am giving up for these 40 days of lent. Telling him about my promise, but obliging to keep him company in his sombre Barcelonian apartment’s living room, the non-practicing Catholic reminds, “a promise is a promise.” His statement reminds me of the purpose of my sacrifice.

Because I love you this much.



- posted on behalf of Andre Brinstan Frois