On March 6, the Season of Lent will begin. From ancient times, Lent is ordered to preparing for the celebration of Easter. Since the Lenten liturgy prepares for celebration of the Paschal Mystery, it is a special time for those preparing for Christian Initiation through Baptism, and a time for the faithful to recall their own Baptism and do penance. The image of “spring training” comes to mind as we hear of baseball teams heading to warm climates — lots of drills, practice sessions, reviewing the basics of the game — all in preparation for the opening of the baseball season. The opening prayer for the First Sunday of Lent speaks to the spirit of the weeks ahead: “Grant, almighty God, through the yearly observance of holy Lent, that we may grow in understanding of the riches hidden in Christ and by worthy conduct purse their effects.” 

In the early Church, when Lent was a time of reconciliation of public penitence, the penitents would come to the church at the beginning of Lent, that is, on Ash Wednesday. They would wear a penitential garment, suggesting sackcloth, and be sprinkled with ashes. Then they would be ritually expelled from the assembly to do their penance for 40 days, returning to the church on Holy Thursday when they would be readmitted to the sacraments. 

With time, the expulsion of penitents disappeared, but the ashes remained and became a call to penance for all the faithful. The practice of using ashes from the palms of the previous year’s Palm Sunday began in the 12th century. 

All Christians are invited to make Lent a special season by: choosing a particular penance, often giving up something one enjoys,  committing to extra times of prayer and worship at home or with one’s faith community, and almsgiving — looking to ways of being generous with one’s resources to help those in need. 

May we keep before us the Lord’s invitation to grow ever more deeply in relationship with Jesus Christ, and to continue to become the disciples he calls and graces us to be. 

— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Msgr. Larry M. Bakke is pastor for St. Clare of Assisi Parish and director of the Apostolate to the Handicapped for the Diocese of Madison.