You know those promises everyone makes for Lent? The societal use of Lent as a way to slim down or diet, to cut a bad habit, or even to give up something for the sake of it, all of this has taken away from the true meaning behind it all.
The idea behind Lent originally arose from the imitation of the 40 days and 40 nights Jesus spent in the desert being tempted by the devil. Faced with challenges, Jesus continued to have faith in God nevertheless. As a Catholic, I was always taught that I replicate this action to prepare my heart for the death and resurrection of Jesus. By giving up something difficult for 40 days, I would be faced with challenges that continued to bring my reason for giving it up, Jesus, to me on a daily basis.
So how has Lent become so generalized? Our Beloved Pope Francis acknowledges the loss of reverence by offering a change to the mediocrity that Lent has become in society. Pope Francis challenges that instead of simply giving something up, rather we try to better ourselves as a whole, better ourselves spiritually. The Pope speaks of how working harder at being merciful, patient, and kind for 40 days can do more than abstaining from chocolate. Pope Francis says, "I desire mercy, and not sacrifice," stressing that this time of Lent is a time to celebrate the opportunity to grow and change.
Pope Francis sets the pre-tense for a new approach to Lent that could, with time, re-focus the true meaning of Lent. For there is truth in sacrifice but rather your sacrifice lies in giving up gossip and resentment and hurt which is a calling to do so much more, and to face such harder challenges.
So let's make a promise to each other, and together we can keep it.