Happy Lent!
It is unlikely that "Happy Lent" will every be widely used as a greeting by Christians the way Merry Christmas and Happy Easter are used. Nevertheless, in one of the prefaces for Lent we "thank God for giving us this joyful season". Despite the liturgical practice of refraining from using the "alleluia" or praying the " Gloria", Lent is not meant to be a time of organized gloom. To be sure, although the once rigorous Lenten practices of former times have been softened, prayer, fasting and almsgiving are still encouraged as means for renewal and ongoing conversion; conversion from hardness of heart to mutual forgiveness and love of enemies, to the claims of justice, mercy and love over empty ritual and cult. Lent is not a matter of "giving up" good things we might like. As someone suggested, 'to give up steak for lobster' entirely misses the point.

Most of us, if not all, are living very busy lives at a hectic pace. During this Lenten Season, may we choose to live more simply, slow down, step back and reflect. This season of Lent is a gift, an opportunity for a new beginning. Whatever practices we may choose during Lent, may they serve to soften our heart, free our spirit, help us grow in holiness and prepare us to better celebrate the Paschal Mystery, which is at the center of our Faith. May we come to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, the visible image of the invisible God, Who is healer, and life-giver, and Who, through His confrontation with death and His resurrection, gathers the scattered children of God and gives us life. In this sense, it is understandable why this season can be called "joyful".

Happy Lent!