Looking in Lent

​“Over time through the practice of Centering Prayer,
we let go of our illusions that the way we see the world
is the right way, or worse, the only way.
It isn’t. God is present amidst all.”

The Paschal Mystery: A Journey into Redemption and Grace,
Contemplative Outreach

Lent is a time for us to reflect, to look past the illusions and see the reality within us and
the reality beyond us. During Lent, we might tend to focus on those sinful actions we
keep in our mind's special storage box, ready to bring out whenever we decide that we
need to repent or be remorseful.

Instead, this can be an opportunity to reflect on our past and refocus our lives for the
future, looking inward and outward, as well as backward and forward. Looking to the
past, I often think about the regretful things I did in my youth, wishing that I had acted
with more selflessness and compassion. But that seems like the easy way out, because
I'm telling myself how much I have matured—I’ve already repented and changed, I just
need to sand off some rough edges. I’m not looking forward. I’m just revisiting my
illusions.

Lent is about clearing our field of vision and being open to looking beyond our personal
sinful behavior and recognizing our complicity in systemic injustices – those cultural
norms or institutional settings that benefit us or which we feel helpless to change. This
is deep ground for most of us. We need to sink in and slow down in order to let go of our
illusions.

What is blocking our view of God and God's will for us? We may not be aware of the
obstacles to our relationship with God and the way we see the world. This is a good
time to reflect on how your Centering Prayer practice has changed your vision. Has it
opened you to deeper seeing and deeper healing? Is there a new reality emerging
through the work of the Holy Spirit in your prayer time?
​
It’s only recently become clear to me that my desire for perfection is not about me
desiring to serve God with complete devotion; instead, it’s about my pride desiring to
serve me – to make me look good to myself and others! I feel the need to be in
recovery, surrounded by and encouraged by others who have walked this path.

Centering Prayer creates a silence and a space in our lives and in ourselves (our body,
mind, and spirit) where we can see anew. It is the groundwork for looking deeper. As we
dig into the earthy foundation of who we are, may we trust God to be the ground from
which all our actions grow.