Last week, I visited the beautiful place where I spent my teens. It is the small township of Helensburgh and is surrounded by bush - Royal National Park, Water Board and Coal Board land. I was horrified. Last winter less than a third of the planned burn offs were done. It has rained continuously since October and the bush is like a solid brick wall closing in around the town, along the roads, towering above. Back-burning has to be taken seriously, very seriously this winter, or we will have yet another day named with the word Black in front of it. It is an almost formidable job ahead but the consequences, if it is not faced, will be dire. Properties and possibly homes will be lost.
There is a lesson here for our own lives. We too have aspects of our lives that get out of control unless they are regularly disciplined. Traditionally, the Church has called them to ‘passions’. These are not necessarily bad – just out of control. We easily recognise over eating but what about all the other things we do too much of. Are we too lazy, too angry, too critical? Do we drink too much, spend too much time on media? The list could go on but you know what is out of whack in your life, as I do in mine. You know what undermines your ability to love those around you, to love yourself and to love God.
Lent, which begins this week, is the time the Church invites us to face ourselves and confront our sins, to really consider what undermines our living life to the full. This is not like New Years Day, when we make good resolutions. This is when we really face the weakness that destabilises us, and as we do, we discover just how weak and broken we are. Where this differs from the nice New Years resolution is that we have Jesus by our side. He wants to help us cut back what could destroy us, wants to help us burn away the rubbish so that we can flourish in love. During this week, take time to think of one ‘passion’ that is distorting your life, and ask God for the wisdom and strength to face it this Lent.
Loving Jesus, in this time of Lent, give me the strength and wisdom of your Good Spirit to really look at myself and confront what is out of balance in my life. Let me live so that I can truly love my family and friends. I ask this in your name, knowing you will hear me.
Sr Kym Harris osb
