It is no coincidence that Lent occurs close to the beginning of Spring. Typically, people engage in spring cleaning by clearing out the garage or basement, changing the décor, or going through closets and getting rid of the clutter. In more ways than one, Lent is a type of spiritual spring cleaning. We need to clear out those things that clutter our hearts and minds to make room for God.
Our consciences often cause us to hold on to past hurts and memories, which prevent us from fully embracing God. As we enter this season of Lent, now is the time to “appeal to God for a clear conscience,” as Peter tells us in today’s second reading. But what do we need to do to make that happen?
Remember the acronym CAC: Complain about it, Accept it, or Change it. The past is in the past. We cannot change what happened, but we can change our responses. We cannot keep reliving what happened and complain about it, hoping for a different result. We could accept it and say, “Well, this is the way it is,” and remain frustrated and perhaps even miserable. Or, we learn from our experiences to move forward and change our attitudes and outlooks. To really clear our consciences, we need to let things go and let God take their place. For example, if I am overweight, I can complain that I am overweight, and nothing will change. I can accept that I am overweight and maybe be miserable because I don’t see any way out. Or, I could make a plan to lose weight by replacing my fat intake with exercise–getting rid of the negative mindset and developing a more positive outlook on life. In effect, I clear my conscience of negativity and self-criticism and adopt an attitude of seeing God’s presence around me.
Whatever you are guilty of (e.g., gossip, stealing, infidelity, alcoholism, drug use, criticism, poor attitude, filling in your sin, or addictive behavior), you have the power to change it with God’s help. As Jiminy Cricket said, “Our conscience is our guide,” but it’s more than that. Our consciences are moral barometers that keep us on the path to righteousness. When something bothers us, it is God’s way of telling us that something isn’t quite right in our lives.
If I truly want to be free this Lent, I need to look at what is bothering me (i.e., what is nagging at my conscience) and find ways to clear it. We learned in science class that nature abhors vacuums, and so in clearing our consciences (letting go of the things that bother us, that is), we need to replace them with the presence of God. As St. Paul tells us, “Where sin abounds, grace even more abounds.” It sounds oxymoronic, but in filling our hearts, minds, and lives with the presence of God, we, in effect, clear our consciences. So this Lent, empty and cleanse yourself by filling yourself up with God and his grace.
– Msgr. John Kasza
