Hot Cross Buns and Lent

As a young boy, I knew that Lent was on its way when my dad would bring home Hot Cross Buns from Ebinger’s Bakery in Brooklyn. The adults would have to begin the daily Lenten fast, we all participated in the days of partial abstinence, and I hated Lent! Irritability seemed to sneak in with the Lenten fast and I invariably got in trouble on Ash Wednesday.

But as I have grown older, I have come to value the invitation of Lent to enter more deeply into a relationship with Jesus. This past weekend, the Scriptures particularly invited personal renewal. Saturday of the Second Week of Lent presented us with the wonderful story of the Prodigal Son. It always strikes me that there really is no conclusion to that story. We can guess what might have happened but I think the challenge is for us to write the end of the story. We often associate with one of the characters yet I think that if we look deeply into the story and maybe even spent some time reflecting on Rembrandt’s wonderful painting, we will find that there is a little of us in each character. We struggle in relationships and we struggle to deepen our own relationship with God. How will we write the end of our story?

Lent charges into our lives the way Jesus charges into the Temple, overturning tables and chasing out those who block a true and genuine relationship with God. We are called to examine our interests, our priorities, our positions and our transgressions. In fact, we are asked to examine the way we live and the integrity of our relationship with God.

The Ten Commandments which we heard from the Book of Exodus helps us in this examination. The first three commandments help us develop an appropriate attitude as people who are privileged to be related to God. We are his sons and daughters, chosen by him and very dear to his heart.

The next six commandments speak to our interpersonal relationships and help safeguard the values that build a wholesome and holy society.

These words from Scripture call us to express our faith in God and our love for God. And isn’t that what Lent is all about?

These days of Lenten journey remind us that God is to be valued and honored in our lives and that we must treat each other with dignity, reverence and love. That is what it means to live in a covenantal community with God and our brothers and sisters.

I still hate hot cross buns but the beauty of Lent helps me to renew my life as I journey with Jesus to the cross. May your Lent bring you peace, joy and new life!

Msgr. James Flaherty