Introduction
Lenten Season is a sacred interval of introspection, a 40-day journey through the wilderness of the reflection, fasting, and service. It invites us to confront the deepest question of human existence. Actually, Lenten Season begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday. Lenten Season is a time to confront the depths of our own humanity, to gaze into the abyss of our souls, and to transformed, renewed, and redeemed. But what does it mean to embark on this journey? What lies at the heart of this ancient practice, and what can it reveal to us about the human condition.
In this reflection, we will explore Lenten Season as a journey into the unknown, a journey that takes us to the very limits of our own existence. We will confront the contradictions and paradoxes that lie at the heart of our being, and we will seek to understand the nature of the self that is being called to transformation. Through the practices of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, we will journey into the depths of our own souls, and we will discover the abyss that lies within. This journey is not the faint hearted but a journey that requires us to confront our own mortality, our own limitations, and our own darkness. Yet, it is precisely in this darkness that we will discover the light of transformation, the spark of the divine that lies at the heart of our being.
The Dialectic of Darkness and Light
When we talk about the dialectical of Darkness and light, it automatically refers to the interplay between opposing forces, where two contrasting elements are interconnected and independent. But in the context of Lenten season, it symbolizes the spiritual struggle between darkness (ignorance, sin and despair) and light (enlightenment, redemption and hope). This dialectic represents the human condition, where we oscillate between these polarities, seeking balance and harmony. The darkness represents the unknown, the unconscious and the parts of ourselves that we hide from. The light represents consciousness, awareness and the divine spark within.
Lent Season is a paradox. It is a time of fasting and feasting, of mourning and joy, of solitude and community. At its core, Lent is a dialectical journey, a movement between the poles of darkness and light, of despair and hope. It is a time to confront the shadows within us, to acknowledge the contradictions and complexities of our own nature, and to seek the light that shines in the darkness. It’s a time to acknowledge our limitations, surrender our ego, and allow the light of transformation to guide us.
This dialectic is rooted in the Christian narrative of Christ’s own journey into the desert, where he confronted the temper and emerged victorious. A journey that echoes the primordial myth of the hero’s descent into the underworld, where one must face one’s deepest fears and being transformed. In this sense, Lent is an archetypal journey, one that speaks to the deepest recesses of the human psyche. The dialectical of darkness and light is not a binary opposition, but a symbiotic relationship, where darkness is necessary for light to exist, and light reveals the depth of darkness. By embracing this paradox, we can transcend the duality and discover a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world.
The landscape of the Self
The landscape of self is a metaphorical terrain that represents the inner world of our thoughts, emotion and experiences. It’s a symbolic map of our psyche, with its own geography, contours and climate. As we embark on this journey, we are invited to explore the landscape of our own souls. We are called to confront the rugged terrain of our emotions, the dense forests of our desires, and the caverns of our deepest fears. It is a journey that requires courage, honesty, and vulnerability, for it is only the depths of our own darkness that we can discover the light of our own redemption.
But what do we find in this landscape? We find the contours of our own humility, the scars and wounds that shape us, and the hidden springs of our desires. We find the footprints of our own betrayals, the echoes of our own failures, and the ghosts of our own regrets. Yet, we find the seeds of our own redemption, the sparks of our own creativity, and the whispers of our own calling.
This inner landscape helps us to find a mountain of strength and resilience, a forests of fear and uncertainty, a rivers of passion and creativity, a desert of emptiness and longing and the cities of memories and experiences. The Lenten season invites us to explore this inner terrain, to comfort the shadows and the light hat resides within. It’s a journey of self-discovery, where we uncover hidden patterns, confront our limitations and seek transformation.
As we navigates the Landscape of self, we encounter the conscious and unconscious mind, the rational and emotional selves and the parts of ourselves we’ve hidden or denied and the fragments of our brokenness and beauty. By exploring this inner landscape, we gain insight into our motivations, desires, and fears. We begin to understand why we think, feel, and behave in certain ways, and we develop compassion for ourselves and others. The landscape of self is a dynamic, evolving terrain, shaped by our experiences, choices, and intentions. As we journey through this Lenten season, we can surrender our old maps, explore new intentions and discover the hidden treasures within.
The practice of Fasting: embracing the Void
Fasting is a central practice of the Lenten season. It is an invitation to enter into the void, to confront the emptiness that lies at the heart of our own being. It is a time to surrender our addictions, our attachments, and our dependencies, and to discover the freedom that lies on the other side. But what does it mean to fast? It means to acknowledge that we are not self-sufficient, that we are not the masters of our own destiny, and that we are not the center of the universe. It means to recognize that our true hunger is not for food or drink, but for the bread of life, for the living water that quenches our deepest thirst.
As we fast, we are invited to confront the ideologies that shape our lives, the false gods that we worship, and the empty promises that we cling to. We are invited to surrender our own will, to seek the will of the divine, and to discover the abundance that lies on the other side of our poverty. Embracing the void through fasting means that we are letting go of our addictions and dependencies, surrendering our ego and control, confronting our fears and insecurities and discovering the emptiness that is also fullness. The void is not an absence, but a presence. It’s a reminder of our limitations and mortality and also as a catalyst for transformation and growth. As we fast, we begin to recognize our attachment and dependencies, surrender our need for control and security and discover new sources of strength and nourishment.
The practice of fasting is a journey into the unknown, where we confront the abyss within and discover the infinite possibilities that lie beyond. In the words of wise teacher, “the void is not something to be feared, but something to be entered, explored, and embraced”. May this Lenten season brings us courage to embrace the void, and may we discover the treasures that lie within.
The practice of Prayer: cultivating Intimacy
Prayer is the breath of the Lenten season. It is an invitation to cultivates intimacy with the divine. It is a time to listen to the whispers of our own hearts, to attend to the stirrings of our own souls, and to seek the guidance of the spirit.
But what does it mean to pray? It means to acknowledge that we are not alone, that we are not the masters of our own destiny, and that we are not the center of the universe. It means to recognize that our true home is in the heart of the Divine, and that our deepest longing is for union with the Beloved. Cultivating intimacy through prayer means that we are going to embrace vulnerability and openness, letting go of distractions and expectations, listening to the inner voice and the divine whisper and surrendering our will and desires to a higher power. In this sense, prayer is not about changing the Divine’s mind, but about changing our own hearts. It is a process of inner transformation, where we become more aware of our thoughts, emotions and desires.
As we pray, we are invited to surrender our own agendas, our own desires, and our own will, and to seek the will of the Divine. We are invited to listen to the stillness, to attend to the silence, and to discover the peace that passes all understanding. In the words of a mystic, “prayer is the raising of the heart to God, or the turning of the heart to God.” May we cultivate intimacy through prayer, and may our hearts be filled with, love, peace and joy.
The practice of Almsgiving: Sharing the Gift
Almsgiving is the hand of the Lenten season. It is an invitation to share the gift, to recognize that we are not the owners of our own lives, but stewards of the gift that have been given to us. It is a time to acknowledge the abundance that surrounds us, to recognize the needs of others, and to share the blessings that we have received.
But what does it mean to give alms? Normally, almsgiving is often misunderstood as a mere act of charity, but true almsgiving is a spiritual practice that cultivates gratitude, generosity and compassion. It means to acknowledge that we are not self-sufficient, that we are not the masters of our own destiny, and that we are not the center of the universe. It means to recognize that our true wealth is not in our possessions, but in our relationship with others, and that our deepest joy is in sharing with others.
As we give alms, we are invited to surrender our own greed, our own selfishness, and our own attachment, and to seek the good of others. We are invited to recognize the face of the Divine in the poor, the marginalized, and the vulnerable, and to serve with love and compassion. As we practice almsgiving, we begin to see the face of God in the poor and vulnerable, to recognize the inherent worth and dignity of every human being, to develop a sense of responsibility and stewardship and also to experience the joy and freedom that comes from giving.
The practice of almsgiving is a journey of transformation, where we learn to see ourselves as a part of a larger web of life and also to experience the abundance that lies beyond the confines of our own ego. This Lenten season, will lead us to recognize that everything that we have is a gift, and may we share it with love, compassion and generosity.
The promise of Transformation
Lenten season is not just a time of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, but also a time of transformation. It is a time to surrender our old selves, to put to death the patterns and habits that no longer serve us, and to emerge renewed and redeemed. This transfiguration is not just a moral or spiritual ideal, but also an ontological reality. It is a process of becoming, of being reborn, of emerging into a new creation. It is a time to let go of our old identities, to surrender our old narratives, and to discover our true selves in the depths of the Divine.
The promised of transfiguration are rooted in the idea that we are not fixed or static being, but dynamic and evolving creatures. We are capable of change, growth, and renewal. As we journey through Lent, we are promised a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world, a greater sense of compassion, empathy and love for others, also to release from the burdens of guilt, shame and regret. And the most important transformation that we promised to do in this Lenten season is a transformation of our hearts, mind and spirits.
In the words of a wise teacher “the only way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” As we journey through Lent, we may remember that transformation is not a destination, but a process. It is a journey of ups and downs, twists and turns, and may we trust that the promise of transformation will guide us, sustain us and renew us.
Conclusion
Lenten season is a journey into the depths of the self, a journey that requires courage, honesty, and vulnerability. It is a time to confront our own shadows, to acknowledge our own limitations, and to seek the light that shines in the darkness. And yet, it is a time of transformation, a time to emerge renewed and redeemed, to discover our true selves, and to find our place in the world
Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines, 23/02/2026
e-mail: eugeniolay8@gmail.com
By: Eugénio Lay dos Santos
