Dear Readers,
The other day I saw the first dandelion. Not far from it was a second. And then I noticed the daffodils sprouting everywhere. How cheerfully I welcome these early harbingers of Spring. What a blessing it is to live in the northern hemisphere where Spring coincides with Lent and Easter. Such signs of hope – from the tiny purple, white, and yellow crocuses in their Lent and Easter colors to the redbuds, pink azaleas, purple hyacinths, and pink and white apple blossoms – all dressed up in their Spring finery. What a joyful season with so much to anticipate.
And then there’s the music. Even with snow on the ground, it’s a sure sign of impending Spring to wake up to a chorus of cheerful chirps, twitters, and tweets, nothing at all like their vitriolic and bitter namesakes on social media. I call it God’s orchestra engaging in the morning tune-up before the day’s symphony. Later I will hear the tiny wren with her huge voice breaking out into a glorious solo! I haven’t seen a mocking bird yet, but when he returns he will share his variety of arias from the tippy top of a tall tree.
Shouldn’t we work together like the geese flying in a V-formation, trading places to give the tired leader a break?
One bird particularly reminds me of the transformation we are called to during Lent as we “work out our salvation in fear and trembling.” In fall and winter, the little goldfinch is plain and drab like a brown-robed monk. But as Spring progresses and Summer comes he changes – until he almost sparkles like a bright golden jewel! Isn’t that what Lent is supposed to do – change us into a closer image of God? The little bird’s transformation happens as nature ordains; we, on the other hand, must work and cooperate with God’s grace if we hope to be “made perfect” as our Father in heaven. St. Augustine reminds us that “God who created you without your willing it, will not save you without your willing it.” [Sermon 169, 11, 13] How much do we will it? Enough to seriously pursue the Lenten admonitions to pray, fast, and give alms? How many of us really prepare for Lent?
In the “old” calendar, the Church announced that Lent was coming a full three weeks before it arrived. Like the rooster crowing at first light, calling, “Get ready for the day,” Holy Mother Church told us to prepare for the coming penitential season. Sermons urged us to thinkabout how to grow in holiness. What about today? Did you give any thought to Lent before Ash Wednesday? Have you already cheated on or abandoned your Lenten resolutions?
Let’s face it. Most of us are cowards and weaklings. We love our comforts; we hate giving up treats and pleasures, much less embracing serious, hunger-inducing penances. That’s okay. The first thing to do in Lent is to admit how weak, sinful, and lazy we are and how dependent on God’s love and mercy. The more we focus on Him and His love for us, the more likely we will joyfully embrace sacrifice and stick with it for love of Him.
When you watch the birds this Lent think of how they never deviate from the will of God. They glorify Him by their nature. Then think how pleasing it must be to God when we choose to say “Yes!” no matter what – to thank Him for our joys, but also praise Him for our sufferings. Nothing just happens – everything is according to God’s perfect or permissive will. This Lent let us imitate another bird, the mythical phoenix, by dying to self during Lent and rising with Christ, a new creation, on Easter Sunday.