N.B. This was written mainly for Catholics, but the principles are the same for all Christians: repentance, forgiveness, the Gospels, prayer, and discipleship.
We are now five weeks into the Easter season, five weeks away from Lent. What if anything did we learn from Lent? Lent is a penitential season, where we focus on changes that need to be made, along with small sacrifices, almsgiving, and prayer. But why a whole season? What’s it for?
I am going to give you my non-theological but deeply devotional view. Pardon me, please. I will try to restrain myself (slight giggle).
Lent can be like taking a really filthy car to the car wash. First, you clean the car of the obvious egregious sins, I mean bird poop. Then you apply good soap using a good scrub brush to the places that collect the most dirt, namely your habitual sins, especially the ones that could cause the car to rust and fall apart. I am not talking cosmetic problems here. The grill, the rear, the wheels, what else? The hood and roof, where most of the poop collects. Of course!
Once the car is lathered up from a serious examination of conscience, you go to a priest to rinse it all away. I hope you will try to take better care of it, and come wash your car more often.
I suppose you have noticed there is work still to be done. The crumbs and junk must be cleared out and the car vacuumed to remove any near occasions of sin. It is from the heart that all manner of wickedness comes, says Jesus. So there may be habits, like visiting McDonald’s, that contribute to the interior mess. I will leave it to you to determine what kind of trash is a problem for you, and to work on regular vacuuming.
Now you have a clean shiny car. You have participated in the Easter Triduum as much as possible, and filled your tank to the brim. You are ready to travel, but you need a road map. Fortunately, you have the Gospels, which will lead you to your destination, God. And you have traveling companions, the saints who know the way, and like-minded friends with the same destination in mind. You consult the road map often, and tank up at least every week at Mass. You don’t want the oil in the car to run out either!
The car may get filthy again, but the car wash is always open, as are the Gospels, and your friends. Don’t hesitate to call on the one who calls you to him, he is only a phone call away. It’s funny but somehow he always answers, if we have faith.
So how does your car look now, after our big three-day celebration of the one who built all this so we could keep our cars clean? Are there any hamburger wrappers or old french fries that fell between the seats stinking up the car? Perish the thought, but any bird poop? Get it off your car right away so it doesn’t leave deep wounds to your finish.
So what if your car is pretty clean? I ask you, clean compared to who? Clean compared to Jesus? He is our model. There is always room for growth in holiness.
I have a few areas that often need washing, and I always have crumbs to vacuum. But my companions are dear people, and help support me, especially when my car breaks down.
The goal is God and deep fellowship with him. That’s what it’s all about. That’s what the Gospels say, and they are the roadmap. We can’t do it without God’s grace, and friends to keep us honest.
Deo gratias. The Lord is risen. He is risen indeed. Amen. Alleluia.