Traditionally, Lent has been time for reflection and penance; a time of winter’s cold; and a time of darkness. Yet Lent means the lengthening of daylight hours. Lent is a movement from darkness to light; it leads us to the warmth and new life of Spring. The season of Lent provides a time to grow into the joy of the resurrection.

We are often uncomfortable with the idea of resurrection or the resurrected form. It appears that the death side of things grasps our attention and imagination; it even fascinates us. We need to be taught to look for anything infinite, positive or good which is often more difficult.  

In Mark’s Gospel, we hear: They ran away from the tomb and said nothing to a soul, for they were afraid (16:5-8). While this may appear to be a strange response, Richard Rohr tells us that running from resurrection has been a prophecy for Christianity and much of religion, as revealed in early scripture. Rohr interprets this as a human temptation to run from and deny not only the divine presence but our own true selves, our souls, our inner destiny, and our true identity.

As we move through Lent, we have the opportunity to seek a deeper truth and to not be reluctant or afraid. Even the disciples did not initially believe in the resurrection. We find this three times in Mark’s gospel (16:11-15) and that Jesus confronts them (16:14). While some may say this is a difficult start in forming a new religion, doubt is a necessary partner to faith. 

We also hear from three women who ask: “Who will roll away the rock from the tomb? (16-3). This question is still our question. Who will help us roll away the rock and dig deeper to find our true self?

Richard Rohr tells us that Resurrection is not just about a man returning to his body. It is about a universal man leading us into a universal future. Jesus does this by making use of all the past and transforming it (Ephesians 4:15-16). We hear the Resurrection accounts in all four Gospels. There are wonderful images of running, rushing, excitement, joy, eating, and jumping naked into the water that speak to a freedom for the future, the past is over, gone and totally forgiven. 

There is a capacity, similarity and desire for divine reality inside all humans. What we seek is what we are. Jesus tells us we will find it Mark (7:7-8). In the Eucharist, we receive what we are and we become what we receive.

The full Christ mystery serves as a map for our entire journey of the True Self. The Risen Christ is the icon of full consciousness. In the human mind of Christ,  every part of creation knows itself as: 1. divinely conceived; 2. beloved of God; 3. crucified; and finally reborn. He carries us across with him assuring us that it is okay and thereby modeling the full journey and the final consciousness.