Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. (Gen. 3:19)

Maybe this is common knowledge or maybe it is not. The four days before Ash Wednesday are the time of Carnival in Brazil. Therefore, all the revelry associated with it has a somewhat religious foundation riddled with bad theology. It is thought to be the last chance to indulge in our sensual pleasures before giving up everything for the season. It is just like the Shrove Tuesday in our Anglican tradition except with less pancakes and more dancing, loud music and lots of alcohol among other things. Needless to say, the meaning of Lent is lost in the midst of this. Many just view Ash Wednesday as the prelude to carnival and nothing more.

Our children and youth don’t even know that there is such a thing as Lent. They have seen people with ashes on their foreheads but are often confused by it. They imagine that it is some strange Catholic ritual. I tried explaining to them that it is reminder of our mortality. This further confused them. Initially, I didn’t understand why but it became clearer eventually. They find it strange why anyone needs to be reminded of their mortality. They are always reminded of it. They don’t have the privilege to hide from it like most of us. We can afford to fill our lives with noises and “important” things to do in order to avoid reflecting on our mortality. After all, who wants to think about their impending death? It sounds like a killjoy. However, the contrary is true. We cannot begin to truly appreciate life until we address our mortality. Until we accept that our time here is limited, we will never be able to live a fulfilling life. The season of Lent is not a season to forego pleasures. It is the opportunity to discover Life but first we have to accept that we are dust. Whatever we achieve in this world or whoever we come to know in this life is not going to prevent us from returning to dust.

This is not meant to put us down and make us feel small and insignificant. It is to remind us of the frailty of life. Just as the wind blows the dust away that is here today and gone tomorrow. Our lives are just as vulnerable to the winds of time. We do not have control of the time we possess here in life and it doesn’t take much for us to lose our existence. Many find this rather uncomfortable but it is something we must confront. It is unavoidable. Any time someone we know passes, even when the person is not particularly close to us, we are reminded of our mortality. Our children cry whenever one of their friends dies tragically. They shed tears for the one who is gone but they also mourn for their own imminent end.

Recently we visited Wanderson in the intensive care. Just a few weeks ago, he was on life support and the doctors thought his chances of survival are slim. He had contracted tuberculosis and his immune system is greatly compromised due to HIV. We were mentally preparing ourselves for his passing. He is only twenty and we have known him since he was 11. We have had a close relationship with him from the beginning. Thankfully, he survived the worst of it. Maybe it was due to prayers. Wanderson looks good even though he is reduced to skin and bones. He has a hopeful demeanor. He told me that he wants to live a new life, or rather, a more meaningful life. These are really my words gathered from what he said. He has difficulty expressing himself. His mental age is that of a ten year old. Thankfully, this does not hinder him from wanting a fulfilling life. The world has nothing to say to Wanderson on this matter but Jesus has the Words of Life.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

It is very possible that this verse is the only biblical reference that most Christians have memorized. It is a good verse. It is a promise made by someone who never falters in His word. Eternal Life is promised but not after our death. It is for the here and now. Perhaps, if we think of it as a meaningful life, it might help us to bring it into our reality. Wanderson does not want to wait for changes in the hereafter. He wants it now. However, all the promises of a better life which the world promises are not open to him. He may never fully leave homelessness. No doubt he will never be able to have a good steady job. Despite all this, eternal life is still available to Wanderson. Perhaps it is something that he might be able to appreciate more than most people who are very successful in this world. The challenge is how do we make this eternal life a living reality for Wanderson and for ourselves.

Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1

As social creatures, we are always concerned about what others think about us. We want people to affirm that we are worthy of salvation. We want others to see that we are good and holy people. In the process, we end up living a spirituality which is void of God but full of selfish motivations. No one is immune to this. Jesus helps us cultivate a spirituality to help us perceive His gracious gift in this life. The first step is for us to understand that life is too short for us to engage in the futile activities of impressing others. Wanderson lived his life trying to be seen by others in the streets. Now, he wants something different. He doesn’t know what he wants exactly but he is ready for something new. Most of us can appreciate his feelings. Maybe we share his sentiments too. We want to live a meaningful life but are unsure if eternity is within our grasp.

Jesus invites us to discover eternal life which is given graciously. However, first, we need to free ourselves from the things blinding us from perceiving His eternal gift. Fasting, praying, giving alms, serving the poor, trusting in God for our security..all these things are not meant to ensure our eternal life. Pharisees did many of these things but they did not perceive eternal life in their midst. Jesus teaches us that these are mere tools to help us to become open and spiritually available to perceive the free gift of eternal life bestowed upon us now. We don’t need to bring anything to the table except ourselves. It is a special gift for each one of us. Wanderson’s perception of this gift will be different from mine but it will definitely enrich my understanding of it. Eternal life is too rich and deep to be confined in any doctrine or theory. It is too mysterious to be explained away. It doesn’t mean that it is incomprehensible. However, it can only be understood through the power of faith and it must be grasped by the individual involved. No one can do it for me nor Wanderson. We each have to discover it for ourselves. When we do, it will give us hope in the face of uncertainties of Life. It will give us the assurance to confront our own mortality and not be afraid nor paralyzed by it. Wanderson walked through the valley of the shadow of death. He survived and knows that our Lord was with Him but he could not see Him clearly. He also knows that the danger is still not over but this time he wants to see the hands of the Good Shepherd who has always guided with him. Like Wanderson, we can face the valley of the shadow of death knowing that the teachings and life of Jesus will guide us through it to a meaningful and eternal existence.

The season of Lent is not about giving up certain things or practices but it is about salvation. It is about discovering Life. It is about living a meaningful life.

Have a Blessed Lent.