40 Days
I have a friend who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Even though he has been a long time sufferer of Parkinson's disease, he remains unusually optimistic with the discovery of this added "complication." His treatment? Corresponding almost exactly with the Lenten season, my friend must receive 40 treatments — one each day — of radiation. His will be a Lenten journey like no other he has taken.
Forty days to wander,
forty days to die to self.
Forty days to grow stronger . . .
These are the words of Matt Maher's song, 40 Days. They challenge me to ask: How will I die to self this Lent? How will I grow stronger? My friend has his Lenten challenge forced upon him. He would not choose to go to the hospital each day of Lent, sit in a waiting room, disrobe when his turn comes, take the "hot seat," get ten minutes of radiation, get dressed again, and go on home. And then do it all again the next day, and the next, and the next . . . All the while, his Parkinson's renders every move slow, shaky, and painful. No, it would not be his choice, but amidst his challenge, he chooses a positive outlook and infectious optimism. My friend wears the joy of the Paschal mystery on his sleeve . . . moment by moment.
Forty days to remember
the Paschal Sacrifice.
Forty days to discover
his passion calls us to new life.
How will I remember and live the Paschal Sacrifice this Lent? How will I experience new life through Jesus' passion (as well as my friend's passion)? My Lenten challenge is not forced upon me. I am free to choose my path toward the Easter jubilee. Will I choose an easy path, keeping my Lenten practices at arm's length? Or will I open my heart to true conversion? Am I willing to let the radiation of the Spirit change me and mold me into the true disciple I like to imagine I already am?
What about you? What will you choose this Lent? You can start by doing two things: 1) Read and reflect on Jesus' 40 days in the desert (see Luke 4:1-13), which occurred just after his baptism by John in the Jordan River and just prior to the beginning of his public ministry; 2) Listen to Matt Maher's 40 Days, and earnestly pray the words of his refrain:
'Cause in the desert of temptation
lies the storm of true conversion,
where springs of living water
drown and refresh you.
And as the Jordan pours out change,
your true self is all that remains,
where springs of living water
bind and break you,
bind and break you.
Related Links:
- "Lent: Fasting for the Feast," by Jim Wilwerding, Youth Update, St. Anthony Messenger Press
- "In the Desert with Jesus: Biblical Themes of Lent," by Michael D. Guinan, O.F.M., Catholic Update, St. Anthony Messenger Press
Spirit Compass reflections are developed in partnership
with the Center for Ministry Development.