For Lent one year in my parish Church, my pastor decided to instill in us a spirit of togetherness in our Lenten strivings.
At the end of his homily, slips of paper were passed down the pews.
These papers were similar to those that appear for diocesan fundraising campaign: how much money can you commit to this fundraiser? Except, these Lenten slips of paper had just three words on them: Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving, along with plenty of space for writing commitments.
We had several minutes of silence as everyone quietly filled out their Lenten commitments.
They were gathered up again by the ushers and ceremonially placed in a black box which sat under the altar for the entirety of Lent.
Father promised no one would read them, and that they would be burned in the Easter fire at the end of Lent.
That Lent was special.
There was a visible reminder to everyone in the parish not only of a personal commitment but also a parochial commitment to Lenten strivings.
As we crept closer to Holy Week, however, I had a shocking realization as Our Lord was lifted high during the consecration.
The juxtaposition of the box containing all of our promises, commitments, strivings, & mortifications with Jesus-Host: the box was almost nothing compared to the gratuitous grace purchased by Our Lord in His Passion.
I felt almost as if I were trying to buy something worth more than millions with only a few coins.
And yet, the Lord wants us to strive.
He needs our cooperation with His grace—His gratuitous gift of grace—in order for us to be transformed.
As important as our own baby steps are, however, ultimately it is God Who lifts us up out of ourselves and transforms us.
Watching all of our slips of paper burn in the new Easter fire was extremely satisfying.
Watching all of our slips of paper burn in the new Easter fire was extremely satisfying.
Was there a bit of pride, a bit of basking in accomplishment in the glow of the Easter fire?
Maybe, maybe not.
I know I was hit with the soul-deep realization:
He came while we were still sinners.
He comes every day while we are still sinners.
He wants to redeem us—He would redeem us—again and again if He had to.
“For why did Christ, when as yet we were weak, according to the time, die for the ungodly?” (Rom. 5:6)