Lent: the springtime of our lives
by Bob Selwa
“Lent” means “springtime” and “lengthening days.” These origins of the word Lent take on meaning in our lives. Lent is the springtime of our lives. As springtime of our lives, it is the opportunity for us to experience new life and new ways of living.
Our new ways of living are based on God?s love for us and our love of God and neighbor. These new ways of living are based on the Our Father prayer – including acknowledging our sins, being sorry for them, seeking forgiveness, and at the same time forgiving others for theirs. Lent is the season of the church year especially devoted to forgiveness and reconciliation. Forgiveness lifts a burden from a person, freeing that person to live life more fully in God?s grace and joy.
We chose to make sacrifices during Lent. This enables us to develop self-control. It also makes us more sensitive to others who are less fortunate than we are. Sacrificing something meaningful in our lives makes us more sensitive to the feelings and concerns and needs of others.
Lent always comes during the transition from winter to spring. The days become longer and the weather inspires us to reach out more in nature and in outdoor and community activity.
The springtime of Lent enables us to learn to live our lives renewed as caring and loving Christians.
(A newspaper journalist, Bob Selwa served as religion writer of the Macomb Daily. Bob and Jane have been married 39 years and are active in family, church, genealogy, and Rotary. Bob and Jane love the natural beauty of Presque Isle County. Bob’s mother grew up on a family farm in Posen.)