will you reach lent's destination?
"Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, then returned from the Jordan and was conducted by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, where He was tempted by the devil. During that time He ate nothing." —Luke 4:1-2
Lent is a march with a destination of the renewal of our baptismal promises at all the Easter Sunday Masses in the world.
Jesus' forty days in the desert prefigure Lent. The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert (Lk 4:1), where He fasted for forty days (Lk 4:2) and refused to doubt that He was the beloved Son of God the Father (cf Lk 3:22; 4:3, 9). Thus, Lent is Trinitarian, and its destination is Trinitarian, for when we renew our baptismal promises, we profess our faith in God the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Lent is a time of waging special warfare against the devil (Lk 4:2) by imitating Jesus' forty-day fast (see Mt 17:21, NAB). This is especially appropriate, for when we renew our baptismal promises at Easter, we reject Satan, all his works, and all his empty promises.
Ask the Holy Spirit what He has planned for you this Lent. He knows the best route for you to reach your destination, the renewal of your baptismal promises this Easter. The Holy Spirit will give you the power to make decisions and sacrifices necessary to reach Lent's destination and to live your Baptism in total love, abandonment, and joy. Let the Spirit lead you into a Lent that leads you to fullness of baptismal life.
Prayer: Father, may I celebrate Lent with zeal.
Promise: "For if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." —Rm 10:9
Praise: Praise and honor to You, Lord, Love, Life, Jesus Christ!
Reference: (For a related teaching order, view, or download our leaflet Lent and the Renewal of Our Baptismal Promises on our website.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 24, 2018
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