Turning life around this Lent

This society, in which we Catholics form an integral part and play a major role, has become very angry. It is reflected on our roads. It is reflected in our lack of respect and kindness we have for each other. It is reflected in our daily dealings with each other—roughly and abruptly, especially in the services sector.

Look as well at how we treat our environment. Everybody knows that our beaches are almost always in a mess, quite like the streets of our cities and even areas close to our homes.

There are so many reasons why we live in a society that is angry and negative. Manners and soft-spoken attitudes have been thrown out the window and replaced by gruff inquisitions by those placed in positions to help.

Can we overcome the present negativity that is taking over our land? It is a hard nut to crack but maybe if we listen to Pope Francis, we can pledge to make a change and one for the better.

Pope Francis in addressing negativity said, “Life is good. Make it beautiful. The less you respond to negative people, the more peaceful your life becomes. Save only those memories which give you a twinkle in your eyes, not a wrinkle on your face.”

Would we, as a people, be able to practise such a drastic move in an effort to create a better society? I believe this is possible if we return to God’s original way of life.

It will be a slow process and we can use Lent to start. We will observe the changes slowly taking place—the anger will dissipate; respect for each other will return; and lawlessness will certainly lessen.

In Trinidad and Tobago, the sunshine and the rain, that gladden and refresh the earth, the hills and seas and plains speak to us of God’s love.

Psalm 145:15–16 says:

“The eyes of all wait upon thee;
And Thou gives them their meat in due season.
Thou openest Thine hands,
And satisfies the desire of every living thing.”

So, the anger and its offshoots we observe and experience today is a true reflection of our society. God did not make it that way. We and our transgressions of God’s law – the law of love – have brought woe to the people of this land. We must remember always that God is the source of life, of wisdom and of joy.

We have all heard the term “God is love”. How many times have we repeated it, not really understanding the full strength and purpose of the phrase? Because God has made loving your neighbour so integral to life and because He Himself has declared His infinite love and pity, we realise life without love is useless. Allow this Lenten season to change that.

When we look around, most of what we see is today’s fast-paced lifestyle which is calling for relief. Personal disappointments, broken family relationships and job-related stress are crippling so many of us but all is not lost. Make a real effort to correct these problems by turning your life around.

Jesus’ mission on earth according to (Luke 4:18) “The Lord hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the broken-hearted; to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering sight to the blind; to set at liberty those that are bruised.”

Lent is a good time to revitalise our faith by going out of our way to show love to our neighbour.