We are now in the final days of Lent. A week from today we’ll be preparing for the Sacred Paschal Triduum, which begins with the Feast of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday. 

How did we get here so quickly? As the Pastoral Team and I review our notes and look over every detail in preparation for each of the liturgies, which occur only once a year, I find myself thinking back to the start of Lent. I’m thinking of the degree to which I engaged the spiritual discipline that shapes this season of repentance, the prayers I promised to pray, the sacrifices I promised to make, the alms that I promised to give. In a way, it reminds me of those final days of the cross country or track season, just before we enter into the post-season championships. I’d find myself looking back, evaluating and reflecting on how well, or not so well, I prepared for the most important races of the year. Did I get in every workout? Did I build up enough mileage? Did I eat right? Did I make the necessary sacrifices? Did I get enough rest? Did I pray enough? These are the thoughts that would be running through my mind in that small window between the final taper and the big races. I spent a lot of time looking back, ruminating on what I did or did not do, rather than accepting the fact that there’s nothing I could do about it now. And no matter what, now was the time to get into the right mindset and focus on what’s ahead. I would have to be ready for that moment when I’m on the line for the 5,000 or 10,000 meters that would require every breath, and every ounce of my physical, mental, and yes, spiritual strength. 

As I shared with you in Running on Faith at the beginning of Lent, we’ll be greeted with these words at the start of Palm Sunday: “Dear Brothers and Sisters, since the beginning of Lent until now we have prepared our hearts by penance and charitable works. Today we gather together to herald with the whole Church the beginning of the celebration of our Lord’s Paschal Mystery, that is to say, of his Passion and Resurrection.” How will you feel when you hear those words? It’s tempting to go right into evaluation mode – and perhaps get a little too distracted with ruminating on what we did, or did not do, to make this a “good” Lent. But let’s not do that. Let’s not focus on how well, or not so well, we prepared for what’s ahead. Instead, let’s open our hearts to whatever Christ is preparing for us as we plunge with him into passion, death and resurrection.

I have found encouragement in the readings we heard this past Sunday, and they’ve helped me to focus on the days ahead.

Through the Prophet Isaiah, God said: “Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; see, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the desert I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers" (43:18-19).

Through St. Paul to the Philippians: “I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus" (3:12-14).

And in the Gospel, when addressing the woman caught in adultery, Jesus did not condemn or shame her, but soothingly said: “Go, and sin no more" (John 8:11).

I can’t think of a better way to enter into this spiritual “postseason.” What a great way to get our heads together as we approach the starting line for the holiest days of the year:

Remember not the events of the past.

Forget what lies behind, strain forward, pursue the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling.

GO—and sin no more!