Lent is a time of forty days to examine one’s inner image in a very special way: whether one has been disloyal like Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus due to his greed for money; whether one has sinned like the women caught in adultery; whether one has a heart like one of the malefactor who was crucified with Jesus and railed at Him.
In this Lenten march of time one has to reflect on Bible scenes, for example: That God’s forgiveness comes to those who ask for it as was the case of the repentant thief, crucified with Christ, who whispered to Him, “Jesus remember me when you come in your kingly power.” Jesus said to this penitent thief; “…today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Lk. 23:42-43). Forgiveness does not come to those who do not feel the pangs of guilt; we see it on the unrepentant thief who hung there with Christ, railing at Him saying, “Are you not Christ? Save yourself and us!” (Lk.23:39)
In this Lenten corridors of time one has to ponder over what the pardoning Christ told the Pharisees who wanted to stone the adulteress, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” Those who heard him went away. And then, Jesus asks the woman, “…Has no one condemned you? Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again.”(Jn.8:4-11).
During this flow of 40 days, one has to think about the greatest commandment which Jesus revealed to the lawyer who wanted to know it, as: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, you shall love your neighbour as yourself.” (Mt.22:36-39).
Lent is a time to chew on the first cry of merciful Christ from the Cross, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke23:34).
All humans have the inborn capacity to change only when alive; no one can transform oneself after death. So, if one desires to create a totally new inner image one has to willfully leave the ingredients of anger, greed, jealousy and chop off other unpleasant weak points of thought, emotion and actions.
Everybody has some sort of weakness. The quality of behaviour depends on inner thoughts. Some try to correct themselves from their wrong behaviour but only those who act consciously and with powerful thoughts succeed to shape their internal image with prayer and with trust in God.
“Just like the impurities in gold are removed by exposing the gold to fire in a furnace. Similarly, the impurities enveloping the soul of man in the form of evil nature are removed only by the fire of devotion.”
