Forty

WHAT IS UP WITH FORTY?

So what is with forty? Kickoffs at most levels of football are placed at the forty yard line because the ball typically will travel to an area near the end zone if struck properly. Speed limits are set at forty in many areas.  In our society we are faced with midlife crisis that can begin at the age of forty according to Eliot Jacques, the Canadian psychoanalyst who coined the phrase midlife crisis.  It is a time where one might face mental instability, health problems and a myriad of other issues.  This is not to say that these events do not happen before or much later than forty. Torah and Talmud scholars refer to the number 40 is as a time of change and renewal. From a biblical standpoint forty is much used benchmark from Moses residence in Egypt to his wandering in the desert. Today we first hear of Noah's forty days on the ark and God's covenant with his people and then in today's Gospel we read of Jesus forty days in the desert and the temptations he faced.

MY STRUGGLES WITH FORTY

Forty days without food! I struggle with just the idea of having to fast for a blood test. All the references aside, I find that the forty days of Lent are a time of year where I typically draw closer to God than any other time of the year.  For the most part each day is spent with extra time for prayer. Perhaps adding an extra forty minutes to reflect on Scripture passages or do more spiritual reading is in order.

More importantly I am drawn to this time as it allows me to face myself and every defect that I might be carrying.  Each of the forty days it seems that the Spirit is awakened me in some sense as I face temptations to judge, condemn, and gravitate towards the worldly callings of materialism, power, and consumption. I become more aware of my human brokenness in rationalizing what is fasting.  Why am I more aware now then the rest of the year? Do I tend to forgot the Gospel message to love and be merciful? Perhaps it is the idea that Lent was purposefully intended to no longer draw upon human strength, but to find God in everything and every temptation, to renew oneself in order to joyfully welcome the Resurrection of the Lord without the baggage of our humanity.

Drawing on the faith that Jesus had during this time is a healthy reflection. As Mark states, "He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him." (Mk 1:12) I find that I must tend my own wild beasts during this time as well as mentioned above and it active surrendering that I tame these temptations.

A BRIEF THOUGHT

In conclusion I have pondered if I tried to incorporate Lenten practices throughout the year, how much closer I would be to Jesus and the people around me. A post-Lenten progress report might be in order, but that is for another post.