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We begin this process of integration first by
"active" participation in the Liturgy of the Mass. Active participation
doesn't simply mean having a functional role to play in the Mass, such as
being a lector, or singing in the choir. It is much more significant and it
is to be done by all, even those who don't have functional roles. It means
prayerful preparation prior to coming to Mass. This could entail reading the
readings of the day's Mass the night before. It could also mean coming to
Church early, if yours is a Parish where silence is possible before Mass,
and actually spending some time in quiet prayer, adoring God and asking the
Holy Spirit for enlightenment during the celebration of the Eucharist. In
this way we can become more attuned to the thread woven by the progression
of Scripture readings selected for the Lenten Season. When this prayer is
offered in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, it becomes a source of
tremendous grace.
Prayerful preparation also helps one to become
more appreciative of the Eucharistic experience of the Passion, Death and
Resurrection of Jesus, which is renewed for us each time we celebrate the
Eucharist. Every celebration of the Mass is a reliving of the Lent-Easter
cycle, because every celebration of the Mass re-presents the sacrificial
death of Christ on the Cross and proclaims His glorious resurrection. This
reflection should also aid us in making truly worthy and devout Communions.
The more we consciously reflect on Whom we receive in the Eucharist, the
more we examine our consciences, the more faithfully and longingly we will
receive Jesus in the Eucharist.
This leads us to a second powerful element of
Lent, the focus on repentance and penance. The call to spiritual renewal is
rendered empty without an expression of true sorrow for sin and a concrete
desire to do something to eradicate sin from our lives. A Lent without the
celebration of the sacrament of Reconciliation is superficial at best,
fraudulent at worst. Catholics who have eliminated the Sacrament of Penance
from their spiritual life have separated themselves from the heart of the
Church. Lent is not the only time a Catholic should go to confession, but it
is certainly an opportune time, especially for one who has not gone to
confession in more than a year. Jesus died for sinners. Lent calls sinners
to repentance. Sinners confess their sins. Jesus endowed His Church with the
sacrament of Reconciliation and gave His Apostles the authority to forgive
sins. Lenten confession is certainly a must for those who wish to be ready
to do spiritual battle.
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