by Sr Fidelis
Lenten Spring
We’ve begun our Lenten journey. Lent has always been a time of inner reflection and repentance, usually associated with fasting in preparation for Easter. The word Lent comes to us from the Teutonic language, and it means Spring. The Old English word for lengthening days was lencten, and the Anglo-Saxon name for the month of March was Lenct. This juxtaposition of repentance alongside the hope of Spring is so beautifully expressed in the Lauds Hymn, based on the 10th century text, Iam Christe, sol iustitiae.
Now, O Christ, sun of justice, let the shadows of the mind divide, that the light of virtues may return when you restore daylight to the world.
Granting an acceptable time, also give a penitent heart that kindness may convert those whom longsuffering has borne:
And give some kind of penance to carry out, through which our sins, however grave, may be removed by your greater offering.
The day is coming, your day, through which all things flower again; may we rejoice in it, led back by it to your grace.
You, let the entirety of all things worship, O merciful Trinity, and, made new by forgiveness, let us sing the new song. Amen
