Preparing for Easter

As I made preparations in chapel yesterday after Mass, removing poinsettias, changing altar cloths and other adornments from green to violet, and ironing a Lenten banner I’d found buried in the bottom drawer in the sacristy, I really didn’t think I was getting ready for Easter.  However, on closer analysis, I find that, in a way, I was. 
 
This year, I was reminded anew that Lent isn’t just about “giving up something,” having somber music, and participating in other mortifications; it’s all for a greater purpose.  These days of penitence have a beautiful goal in mind: They are meant to help prepare us to enter into the celebration of the paschal mystery with heart and mind renewed. 
 
The annual commemoration of Jesus’ death and resurrection isn’t just another set of holidays on our calendar.  We are meant to experience it anew each year.  We are meant to delve into the depths of this mystery.  We can strive to live it as if we were there!
 
The Church, in her motherly wisdom, does not want us to rush heedlessly into these holy days, unprepared.  We are given this time of Lent (traditionally forty days, not counting Sundays) to get ready. 
 
This year, I have been struggling with how best to do this.  I don’t know exactly what I should be doing differently as a penance to prepare my heart for the upcoming holy days.  With the difficulties, stress and hardships of the past months, I can’t help but feel like I’ve been living in Lent already. 
 
Perhaps, though, along with efforts at better self-denial and the penances already incumbent with daily life, I am being called to another aspect of Lent this year. 
 
One image we are given in these early Lenten days is of Our Lord going out into the desert.  Perhaps, He is inviting us to come close to Him this season, drawing near to him in the desert of our own lives. 

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