Fireproof and The Season of Lent

One of the gifts that the Lord gave the Church is the Christian calendar, as it has come to be called. In actuality, it is the sanctification of time, so that each year itself re-enacts the gospel story through seasons, holy days ('holidays"), and feasts. Thus, the Christian year itself walks us through and teaches us the gospel, even discipling us.

But what about Lent? Why a season of examination and reform? Of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving? What's the reason for Lent?

Through Lent, we "enter into" our Lord's 40 days in the wilderness. We also remember the Israelite's 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. In those years, God removed their unbelief so that they could enter into the land of blessing that He had promised to them. Jesus was tempted and proved faithful to His Father and to His will. And while these points are valid, I suggest that there's more to Lent than penance, sacrifice, and repentance. There's more than giving up something in hopes of appeasing your guilt. There's a deeper "Why"...

Love.

In the movie, Fireproof, a married couple is teetering on the brink of a hateful divorce. Neither one loves the other anymore. In fact, they despise each other. But the husband (Kirk Cameron) begins to want to save the marriage. So, at his father's counsel, he begins reading a book that challenges him to do certain loving actions toward his wife over a period of 40 days. Each one of these actions inherently calls him to examine himself, to make sacrifices, to get rid of attitudes, behaviors, responses, and even desires that have taken priority over his wife and their marriage. In truth, each challenge brings him to repentance. He begins to himself for the jerk that he's been. But he also begins to want to be - and actually to be - the husband his wife deserves. Though the process is painful, uncomfortable, and humbling, he begins to fall in love with her in a new way. He begins to see that she is worthy of love. In reality, it's a movie about unconditional love.

In reality, it's a movie about Lent.