When Lent Comes Early

Lent is exactly three weeks away, but do you ever feel like for you it came early? 40 weeks of suffering in the desert is intense, but for those who have ever experienced extreme pain, fear, confusion, persecution, or desolation, it may seem like you didn't have to wait for Ash Wednesday to begin your own personal time of sacrifice.

There's no use in denying the fact that suffering comes to all of us, and that we never know how much or how little we will have to endure. But it will come, and what I sit here reflecting on is how we can deal with it when it does.

As Catholics, we make the sign of the cross as a prayer. Have you ever stopped to think about that? The sign of the cross, Jesus' cross, is one of the greatest blessings we can give to ourselves and to others. The cross is, quite literally, a blessing. Say that again to yourself out loud. The cross is a blessing. Do you believe this? It's difficult for me to grasp as well. But the truth of the matter is that we should not make the sign of the cross over our forehead, our lips, or our heart, and then fail to embrace our suffering. Every time we fail to embrace our suffering, we're missing out on the opportunity to draw nearer to Jesus.

So much of joy is a choice, friends. I've definitely learned this the hard way. I've never been the type of person who was naturally cheerful and bubbly all the time. I have a melancholic personality that tends to the negative and anxious. But one day a few years ago, I asked myself why. Why was I willing to proclaim Jesus is Lord but then grumble and worry every chance I had? And when true suffering came upon me, why did I tend to despair? Jesus hung on the cross, broken and bleeding, and through that final act of sacrifice redeemed the entire world. This is cause for deep joy. The ultimate act of suffering begat the greatest source of consolation. But we need to choose this joy, choose it with determination and ferocity. We need to disallow fear and doubt from creeping into our suffering, and embrace the pain with a joyful heart. Even just saying a simple prayer such as Jesus, I give this to you is a good way to begin. Suffering is a direct path to the very heart of Jesus, because we know that through suffering comes eternal life: life in Him.

Suffering comes to all of us, and it is my greatest prayer that the least amount of suffering possible will touch your life. But it is also true that suffering stretches us, and that in itself is a positive. We were created to dwell in heaven forever, but this is a greatness that our human bodies are not yet ready for. Our hearts, however, they can do some work to prepare. So when we suffer with Jesus, instead of thinking we suffer alone or because of Him, that pain becomes redemptive. And through that offering of prayer, much good can be done for souls. Yours, mine, and anyone who needs it.