Experiencing a Turning Point in Your Life this Lent

Lent is an opportunity to be born again. In John 3:1–8, Nicodemus recognises that God is with Jesus. Like Nicodemus, we are not always spiritual infants. Sometimes we are even committed Christians who appear to have a certain degree of spiritual maturity. Yet Jesus says to Nicodemus: ‘You must be born again’. Nicodemus is puzzled: ‘How can a grown-up like me be born again? Must I go back into my mother’s womb?’ You, too, might be tempted to say: ‘Why must this Lent be a turning point in my life? I’m a convert; I don’t commit adultery; I attend Mass regularly; I’m very committed to the Church and even part of a group; I’ve made a vow. Why does my life need to undergo a turning point? I don’t need it, unlike so-and-so or such-and-such.’ And then you might also have thoughts such as: ‘Besides, even if I wanted to, it wouldn’t do any good because I always slip up; I wouldn’t be able to stick to it.’ If God places this desire within you this Lent, it is because he wants to fulfil it. St Thérèse of Lisieux said: ‘When God gives a desire, it is because he wants to fulfil it.’ So if he is asking you to experience a turning point, a fruitful Lent, it is because he knows you can do it. Otherwise, the Father cannot ask of you what you are unable to do. Nicodemus said: ‘How can I be born again?’ I ought to be the one making resolutions to be a disciple of Jesus. Yet how many times have I neglected Jesus and the spiritual discipline I have set for myself? When something is truly important to someone, they do not neglect it. If there are lapses in my spiritual life, it is because I have not always made Jesus a top priority in my life. Lent is a good time to make amends for these lapses.

Sometimes we go through days that feel heavy and lacklustre, without any real enthusiasm or fervour. Because whilst we ought to be sharing Jesus and helping to save souls by bringing them into contact with him, we fail to do so. We no longer have the same zeal for evangelisation as we once did. I ought to be the one who makes my life a life of love. However, I find it difficult to love and to forgive; I neglect my partner, even though I promised to love and cherish them for the rest of my life. I ought to be the light of the world, but instead I have sometimes been a temptation to others, and I have at times lived in darkness. As Saint Paul says, I ought always to speak words that are constructive and uplifting, whilst being patient, but instead I have often spoken words that hurt; I have often lived in anger. When I take a quick look at my conscience, can I really say that there is nothing I need to change; that there is no turning point I need to address this Lent?

In life, there are unforgettable moments that mean our lives are never the same again. Sometimes, when I ask people to give a testimony of their lives, some say they don’t have much to say. They have always been Christians and have lived more or less well. Perhaps some of them do not wish to share anything out of humility. But for others, this is a sign that they have not yet experienced a spiritual turning point in their lives. They have not yet been born again, as Jesus asks. This Lent is an opportunity to do so. Saint Teresa of Ávila, who spent nearly 20 years in the convent, did not really pray well until she experienced a turning point. This brought about a complete change even in the way she prayed. She then went on to become a reformer of the Carmelite Order. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, whilst in the convent, experienced a moment when, alone, she consecrated herself to God’s merciful love. It was a turning point in her life. Personally, when I went on a retreat several years ago, I saw the direction of my life change completely. Thanks to that retreat, I changed my priorities in life, my ambitions and my goals. This Lent must likewise be a turning point in your life. You must adopt a new spiritual identity in your behaviour and your actions. You must adopt the manner of someone who seeks to keep their faith alive.

I remember an anecdote from when we were at secondary school; we often wanted to study very late into the night; so, to fight off the sleep that often prevented us from achieving our goal, we would draw water from a bucket and dip our feet in it. And that kept us awake. You, too, should look for ways to keep your faith fervent every day. This new attitude means striving to be disciplined in your spiritual life – disciplined in your time set aside for prayer, personal meditation and lectio divina, making prayer the driving force of your life. Be faithful to your spiritual commitments in this Year of Faith. Let us experience this Lent as a turning point in our lives, so that we may love Jesus more deeply.

Henri Bayemi