A Tough Nut To Crack

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                                           Deacon Tom writes ©

A Tough Nut To Crack

First Sunday of Lent Year B

The word “Contrition” comes from the Latin word contritio, meaning a breaking of something hardened…  Like our attitudes, perhaps?  We all become hardened to one degree or another by our life experiences. A homeless person will approach us on the street and ask for some change and we refuse him. We justify our actions in many different ways… They need to get a job…They will only buy booze… Those panhandlers make loads of money! …Etc. If only we were in their shoes for a little while, how our attitudes would change.

That is exactly what the Season of Lent is all about. It is a time to make some changes in our attitudes. And our attitudes can only change when we take steps to change the focus of our life.

I don’t think many of us enter Lent looking to do a complete makeover of our lives. Most of us know that even small changes in our behavior are very difficult to make. Just try to stop smoking or go on a low cholesterol diet!  We find out then how making small changes really impacts many other facets of our lives.

Maybe that’s why we approach Lent so cautiously. We are afraid to go messing around with some of those attitudes that need to be adjusted. Let’s face it; it is easier to give up a meal here and there than to try reaching out to a co-worker who is always making our lives miserable. It is much easier to say a Rosary than to say I forgive you to someone who has hurt us in the past.  Yet, Lent is the perfect time to look deeply into our lives and honestly confront those areas where change is needed.  Perhaps we need to be more forgiving of ourselves and others.  Maybe we need to be more appreciative of what others do for us, more thankful for the gifts we have, kinder with our words when we things aren't going our way.  If we just take the time to reflect on the events of the day and how we responded to them, I am sure our eyes would be opened to some of the changes we could make to improve our attitudes so that we could become better persons and more Christ like in the process.  

During these next forty days, let’s ask God for his grace that calls us to a spirit of “Contrition” so he may help us in our efforts to breakdown any and all of those attitudes that keep us separated from His love, mercy, and compassion.

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom