Ash Wednesday, as we know, is the start of Lenten journey for 40 days mission. It is a mission journey to the passion of Christ and Cross, the mystery of the salvific plan of God which grandiosely granted not only for the human being but the whole universe as well. Lenten season, therefore, viewed not only as historical events but primarily as real moments in our own lives of faith. During this mission journey of lent, God is inviting us to “Repent, and believe in the Gospel” as an integral message to be practiced and lived out every day.
Why Lent as a mission journey? In answering this simple question, it is mandatory to put in mind that a true Christian should live this Lenten journey as a path to holiness. This holiness acted out through the three characteristics of lent: the prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. However, lent as a mission then emphasizes not much on how these three elements would help us to be in a 'state' of without sin or removal of sin, rather on entering into a more intimate relationship with God through these three elements. Yes, we are all sinners, and we wrestle with our sinfulness all our entire life, but the determination should never be to give up sin only for a certain amount of time but rather to be always striving for holiness. In doing so, we will be able to see 'beyond' what we do and live out in our moment of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. To reach this level of faith understanding indeed is a mission journey towards holiness.
Perhaps many of us have started personal or communal commitments, prayers, fasting, and good deeds for Lent. It is worthy, but to be remembered that those commitments are taken not for or because of Lenten season which will soon pass, rather internalize both our brokenness, woundedness and yet our striving to 'stand up', and journey toward holiness. Our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving help us both to draw closer to God and grasp his love and holiness. This Lenten for us is a mission journey because it should have no end; or it will end liturgically speaking, but not our actions, words, and deeds. This is where a mission journey takes place because it has no end. We are always on a missionary journey towards holiness.
I want to end this reflection with my simple experience. A few days ago, I went to SM Fairview (shopping center) to buy something. While crossing the foot-bridge, there was a young lady sitting down begging, handed up to me a plastic cup, expecting me to drop in some coins. Her little child was sitting on her arms while the other two sleeping on her side half-covered by a piece of cloth. Actually, I have coins in my bag. Instead of giving some to her, I started complaining inside: "this lady is too young to beg, she is still strong to look for a job, she is just being lazy, and begging is the 'short-cut' and easy way to gain money".
After realizing how numb I was, I felt guilty. Why would not I give freely, as an expression of love? Why did I make a such 'cruel' judgment towards her?', maybe she did look for a job. Through that lady, I lost a chance to love and to see Jesus in their midst (that lady and her children). That encounter with her could be a moment of prayer (for all the beggars and hunger), fasting (perhaps coins which I would use to buy 'Kwek-Kwek') and alms-giving (to contribute little for her needs). I lost it, as Lenten will pass. But we are always given, will be given other chances to work on, to live out the Gospel, to see and love everyone, and to experience Jesus in our midst. Our mission journey toward holiness is always on the proses, it is an open-ended journey. Have a blessed journey of Lent and let us be the first one to love.
