The End of Preparation?

By Steve Martin

     Lent is over, and the solemnity of Easter is finally upon us. We have spent the last 6 weeks preparing for this moment. Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen indeed!

     We have denied ourselves. We loosened our grip on those things in our lives which distract us from our desire and need for God. We cleaned out the clutter within our hearts in order to make more room for God. 

     Maybe we prayed more. Perhaps we spent more time meditating on scripture, studying the Catechism of the Catholic Church, or reading about the lives of the saints. Some of us focused on doing more spiritual and corporal works of mercy. 

     The list goes on and on. There are a variety of ways one can practice growing closer to God.  Lent is a perfect time to intensify and renew our spiritual disciplines as we prepare for Easter.

     Now that Easter is here, is this the end of our preparation? Do we simply kick back and relax until Advent? Lent and Advent are special times within our liturgical year. The Church calls us to enter more deeply into an attitude of penance and sacrifice. We are encouraged during these seasons to prepare for the coming of the Lord with enthusiasm and zeal.

     Now that we have challenged ourselves and worked so hard, why would we stop? Just as Lent and Advent are a time of preparation, our whole life is a preparation. 

     One day this life will be over, and we’ll be face to face with our Lord, Jesus Christ. We most certainly want to be ready for that moment when it comes.  Let’s think about the good habits we have developed during Lent and make a commitment to keep moving forward. Let’s pray about it. Let’s ask how God can use the new found strength which has come from our spiritual exercises. Perhaps there are new ways we can serve the Church and the world.