Student Reflection
Student Reflection: Lent
By Sarah Dolphin ‘11
Lent from the mind of my pre-college self: A time to give up eating sweets, stop fighting with my sister, or committing more time to community service; six weeks of Friday nights spent serving soup dinners at church to the Lenten lecture visitors
Lent from the mind of my almost graduate self: A time to share in the beautiful mystery of Jesus’ sacrifice for us with my brothers and sisters in Christ, a time to contemplate the presence of Christ in my life and the ways in which I am asked to sacrifice as he did for us; a time-especially this year-to spend a few minutes each day reflecting on how I can be a woman for others, and continuously utilize the gifts I was given to assist others in enriching their own lives.
Well, ok Jesuits-four years spent with you truly has ruined me in the best of ways. As I reflect on the meaning of lent in my life, I see how much has changed in four years just in terms of my own faith understanding. Spending years in Catholic education classes throughout childhood still failed to move my Lenten mindset past the idea of giving up something in order to better myself. In the past two Lenten seasons, I have realized the questions I still have about Catholic traditions and decided to refocus my intentions during this special season. I’ve sought to commit myself to developing a deeper and more personal understanding of prayer and repentance to truly feel and see the places Christ works in my life. To someone who attends the daily 12:10 mass and Sunday 8:15 student masses without fail, Lent this year presents a unique challenge-a commitment of intentional personal time in prayer simply wasn’t enough.
Though some of my recent thoughts may have a bit to do with my looming departure from the beloved Gonzaga University campus, I have sought to truly grasp the benefits of gaining what God intends for me each day during this Lenten season. As I indicated initially I used to be a victim of the illusion that Lent was best practiced by giving up a beloved piece of routine, or giving time in the name of service. These are still practices which are a substantial way people to experience the purpose of Lent; I believe sometimes God wants those who are clearly committed to service broaden their horizons in more unique ways intentionally during Lent. Spending last year’s full Lenten season and the last three weeks of this year searching for e what I can gain from Lent I’ve recognized: new meanings I can draw upon scripture readings I have heard many times prior; new ways to utilize my passion for education and service to benefit a different part of my community; the importance of being fully present when in prayer with God-and recognizing the multiple ways prayer can be accomplished. Above all, I think Lent each year is the time when I most clearly recognize the full meaning behind my favorite quote “Let God, and Let God”. Waking up each morning and promising myself to be fully present in as many moments that day as possible will bring about more benefits than I can count. The reinforced ideas in a Jesuit Catholic community of ‘what can be gained from Lent’ allow me to be more aware of the places I need to be more committed to my beliefs. God is integrated into all things: successes and failures-both as a student and as a human person. Owning my faith during Lent without boundaries-in rocky relationships, in the questions I have, in the happiest moments, continuously opens paths to expand upon the meaning religion throughout the duration of the year.