Ash Wednesday was February 26^th, four weeks ago.

As I sat in Church on Ash Wednesday and pondered the Season of Lent that was before us, I couldn’t have imagined the reality we find ourselves living in just four weeks later. I couldn’t have imagined the reality of public Masses and Church gatherings being suspended at least through Holy Week and Easter, and likely beyond. I couldn’t have imagined the urgent need for widespread social distancing and self-quarantines. I couldn’t have imagined the postponement of so many special and exciting life events or the continuing uncertainty as to when these events can safely be rescheduled. I couldn’t have imagined the continually expanding number of infections and deaths being reported each day or the economic hardships that have arisen for so many people. I couldn’t have imagined how different daily life would so quickly become.

This has been a very different Lent than we ever could have imagined.
But, as hard as it has probably been for many of us to stay focused on Lent, the Season is not over. Unlike most events and occasions throughout the world and in the United States, it hasn’t been cancelled or postponed. Lent is still unfolding. Holy Week is still coming and the Paschal Mystery will be celebrated once again in our sacred Liturgies, which will be broadcast and streamed to the faithful.

If, like me, you’ve lost focus on Lent because of the very palpable anxieties and uncertainties of the present moment, then I invite you to join me in renewing our commitment to Lent, while acknowledging and accepting that this is a very different kind of Lent.

It’s a Lent which calls us to community across physical barriers, challenging us to continue to identify ourselves as a Eucharistic people while being unable to gather to celebrate the Eucharist. Experiencing Mass on our screens while physically separate from the faith community is not what any of us desire, but, even across the physical distance, I have felt the shared love, prayers and faith of the community. I know that we remain as much the Body of Christ as ever and I believe wholeheartedly that we are still receiving all the grace of the Eucharist.     

This Lent urges us to pray for all those who are suffering in any way, and to especially hold in prayer those who are suffering the most pain and hardship because of this pandemic. As I prayerfully sit with my own unease and disappointments during this time, I come to recognize that many other people have lost much more than I have and are hurting far more deeply. Whether you are like me and have been minimally affected or are hurting more deeply, we are all called to fervent prayer for the remainder of Lent and beyond.

This Lent it seems as if we’ve been forced to Good Friday early, but are on track to arrive at Easter Sunday while still caught in the grip of a Good Friday experience of sadness, fear and uncertainty. In the remaining weeks of this very different kind of Lent, let’s challenge ourselves to look for daily evidence of hope. Even in times of great difficulty, hope is always visible to those who look for it. Pause and think for a moment: where have you found evidence of hope today?
Lent has not unfolded the way we expected. But it hasn’t slipped away from us completely yet, either. In this unexpected and troubling reality, how can you commit to observing the remaining weeks of Lent in a way that makes sense for you?
The experience of living through this pandemic is one we will carry with us for the rest of our lives. As people of faith, let’s embrace the opportunity to make our remaining experience of this Lent one we will carry with us, as well.
God Bless you and please remain safe and healthy!