Arctic Freeze

Rob Lopez

Recently the entire United States has encountered an arctic blast that has temperatures below zero in many places and snow falls hitting record amounts.

Here in my hometown of Erie, Pa. we have been as low as -30 and our high was zero yesterday.

The weather conditions coupled with Lent may seem odd, however, when I think of the reason we celebrate Lent it isn't so strange.

Jesus went to the desert to fast and pray for 40 days and was tempted by the devil.  The thought of this gruesome creature brings chills to our skin.  Well, the arctic freeze DEFINITELY brings chills to my skin.

The thought that life can exist in these conditions is similar to the desert.  The desert is a barren land and brutal on the body.  Daytime temperatures can be over 100 degrees and the night is cold.  The arctic freeze presents days that are bearable and nights that will kill a person within a few short minutes.

Lent is a time to prepare.  In the desert, Jesus, prepared for his ministry by being tempted and fasted to overcome the worldly things.

In this winter's freeze, we prepare for spring and the coming of life that will return with an abundance of beauty.

Taking time to see that those frozen trees and piles of snow hiding life is preparing our hearts for a better understanding of death or the appearance of death.

Preparing for life by understanding what Lent represents can send us to a higher level of spirituality and bear fruit for many.

Jesus encountered death, the devil and understood that the temptations were not worth what they eluded to.

This arctic blast is a lie and life will come from this sort of death.  But realizing this too is a transition and we can better appreciate the world that we presently live in.

Happy Lent!