If you’re Catholic, then you know that Lent is the annual 40-day period in the liturgical calendar that prepares us for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This penitential season is taken directly from Sacred Scripture wherein Jesus, after being baptized by John, was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert to fast, pray, and undergo spiritual testing by the devil (Matt 4:1-11).

Of course, He was victorious.

Three pillars

You would also know the “three pillars” of Lent embody more intentional prayer, fasting, and giving of our time, talent, and treasure.

Since we all struggle with our own unique weaknesses, character flaws, and sins, the manner in which we can “tackle” Lent is as varied as our favorite flavor of coffee creamer. (No, I did not give up coffee for Lent.)

Knowing all this, there are various ways we can apply these “pillars”, making everyone’s Lenten practices look different from one another.

Like Christ exposed to the unforgiving wind, harsh sun, and parched ground in the desert, our own vulnerabilities and weaknesses are exposed during Lent, giving us a humbling glimpse of what we are like without our various “crutches”.

A pitfall

One particular pitfall was brought to my attention by a respected priest in one of his Lenten homilies, and I know God was directing it at right at me:

the problem of carrying the cross.

Admittedly, it’s a common obstacle–one a lot of people struggle with–so I’m sure you can relate.

Many saints have written about the cross. Jewish convert, philosopher, nun, and martyr, St. Edith Stein (1891–1942), has written an entire book on the cross, titled, The Science of the Cross.

I’m ashamed to admit that I haven’t read it, but it remains on my “to-read” list.

But what does “carrying the cross” really mean?

The cross, itself, indicates uncomfortable and even painful burdens that come with fulfilling one’s duty to love God and neighbor as Jesus did in everyday life.

And carrying it dutifully, even joyfully, every day is the task of every Christian (Luke 9:23).

We know this. So why is it so hard to do?

Three anti-pillars

Because of our fallen nature, we’d rather just be comfortable and everyone else just accept our vices and faults, and just…get over it.

This attitude, of course, is self-centered, and a direct inversion of Christ’s teachings.

It is also the teaching of the world, the flesh (selfish inclinations), and the devil–the three “anti-pillars” of Lent.

That’s why prayer, fasting, and almsgiving (the pillars) expel these anti-pillars; they make more room for God to work in our lives.

The “tail” of the secret weapon

A few of you may have seen the 1986 animated children’s film, An American Tail. For those who haven’t, it features a Russian-Jewish family of mice that was tragically separated while immigrating to America in 1885.

After several adventurous subplots and a few slightly frustrating near-brushes with his family (who had also arrived in New York City), the young mouse, Fievel, gets caught up in a plan to expose and deport evil mice-eating-cats that were hiding in the city’s sewer system.

When it came time to execute the plan, the elitist mouse in charge, Gussie Mausheimer, cried out for all the mice to hear: “Release the secret weapon!”, and all leaped into action.

If Christianity is warfare (and it is) (Eph 6:11-13), Christians also have a secret weapon in their arsenal: obedience.

“Obedience is better than sacrifice”

We recall when Jesus carried His Cross and allowed Himself to be sacrificed, it was in loving obedience to His heavenly Father.

St. Paul confirms this by saying, “He [Jesus Christ] humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross” (Ph 2:8).

This final act of obedience reflects the unmeasurable love He has for us.

It is also a powerful example–one that is entirely countercultural.

But Christ’s obedience did not start with carrying His Cross.

Sacred Scripture points out that as a boy, the divine Child was “obedient” to Joseph and Mary (Luke 2:51) while remaining obedient to His heavenly Father.

That means, carrying our cross has nothing to do with reluctant resignation, but everything to do with obedience.

Just as children should obey their parents out of love for them, we, too, should obey our heavenly Father out of love for Him.

And to do this, of course, we need grace (CCC 2021).

Obedience and disobedience

Obedience is all over Sacred Scripture.

So is disobedience.

Disobedience was the first sin of Adam and Eve–not murder, theft, or sexual sin (Gen 3:6).

According to Early Church Father, St. Irenaeus (c. 125 – c. 202 A.D.),

The knot of Eve’s disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary. For what the virgin Eve had bound fast through unbelief, this did the virgin Mary set free through faith.

Against Heresies, Book III, Ch. 22

And it was the obedience of Jesus Christ that undid the disobedience of all mankind:

“For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous” (Rom 5:19).

Misunderstanding

But Lent isn’t just about obedience. Our obedience to God must be the result of our love for God–more specifically–our love for our neighbor out of love for God.

Our love for our neighbor (and enemy) must mean wanting what’s best for him, which is, ultimately, heaven.

Getting back to the priest’s homily: He helped me to see my misunderstanding–that we shoulder our crosses alone. This is false because we don’t.

In His mercy, God allows us to continue to help Jesus carry His Cross for the good of our souls and the souls of others.

Christ is yoked with me in my various crosses, but only if I let Him.

That means, rather than handling my crosses alone, I can strive to be more like Simon of Cyrene.

Just as fire emits warmth and light to dispel the cold and darkness, it is only with Christ that I find the supernatural strength and joy I need to persevere in shouldering my crosses.

That is why, for the Catholic Christian, Lent is more than just an observance of our Lenten sacrifices, and it is more than just obedience.

We are invited by the Church to join Christ in His uncomfortable journey into the desert without our “creatures comforts”.

It is only when we allow Him to accompany us that we can triumph and achieve our victory–victory over our sins.

May God bless our efforts this Lent.

Cum Christo victores sumus!

Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matt 11:28-30 NRSV-CE