Our culture often frames life as a relentless competition: whose children are most accomplished, whose alma mater boasts the most victories, whose family dynamics appear picture-perfect, and even, disturbingly, whose Lenten observance is most impressive. We find ourselves measuring sacrifices, community service hours, and prayer time against others, as if these were points on a scoreboard.
However, the essence of Lent stands in stark contrast to this competitive spirit. God does not hold a contest, nor does divine favor depend on a tally of good deeds. The spiritual path is not a race, but a personal journey. Stumbles are not setbacks requiring frantic acceleration, and there is no single “correct” route to the divine.
As Henri Nouwen prayed, ‘O Lord, make this Lenten season different from the other ones. Let me find you again.’ Lent is not about outdoing others; it is about an intimate, transformative encounter with the divine, a deeply personal pilgrimage of renewal.
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