Lenten Navel Gazing

Lent isn’t just the blue purple fuzz that builds up in your dryer after you’ve tumbled a load of laundry. In fact, that isn’t lent, that substance is called dryer lint. Absurd pun aside, there might be something to this train of thought.

The substance of lint is worth contemplating this Lenten season. The color is close to that of our liturgical season. The blue purple of lint is almost drabber, and penitential than the regal purple of Lent.?

Then there is the fact that doing laundry is a normal part of life, and if you don’t tend to the maintenance of your clothes dryer, the machine will cease to function properly. The buildup of lint will hamper (no pun intended) the drying, and if it builds up too thickly, God forbid, your drying may catch fire!!!

If we don’t find an appropriate upkeep schedule for our spiritual life, that includes prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. If we don’t build in the maintenance of participating in our faith community, especially through the sacraments of Eucharist, and Penance, the build up of sin, will junk up the works.

At times we can feel really capable, and do a good job of maintenance. However, just like with the clothes dryer, eventually we need the help of the Maytag Man! Occasionally we have to turn to a priest and spiritual director, to make sure everything is functioning to factory specifications.?

This Lent (not lint) let’s take the opportunity to make sure all systems are go, and that we’re walking on the right path. Finally, the word Lent comes from the Old English Word Lencten, which literally means springtime, and who isn’t up for a good spring cleaning?

God Bless and have a happy, clean Lent!