La Cuaresma en El Norte y el mundo
This month’s Blessing Way column is especially dedicated for peace in the world and the hearts of humankind; and for healing consolation of innocent victims who are afflicted by the cruelties of the never-ending global wars; and for easing of famines in the world; and for all who are ill, oppressed and feeling hopeless.
The Blessing Way now addresses the profound spiritual season of La Cuaresma, or Lent, which began with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 22. Lent is known in the world as a special and holy season. Yet there are strident voices in the world that assert that La Cuaresma may now just be an anachronism in the complex and “evolving” world.
We assert here that the importance
of the Lenten season in the world has not diminished. It is clearly evident that, in this year, the world can be considered to be in an appalling state, roiled by war, violence, corruption and danger. It can even seem that the heart of humankind has become lost in the cataclysmic state of affairs.
Lent is considered to be a spiritual
season of calm, of reflection about the meaning of human life; of repentance for the errors and pecados of humanity — as a time to help the next person, neighbor or stranger, with acts of charity and mercy.
In many of the world’s cultures and religious and spiritual traditions, there are also similar seasons of pausing, of calm. The Native pueblos of El Norte exemplify this, when their communities close to the public to refresh spiritual life.
La Cuaresma is distinct because it commemorates the story of an individual, who in the Christian tradition, is believed to be the “son of God,” and whom the faithful believe to be God and man at the same time, and who furthermore
was resurrected from the dead in a “supernatural” way.
This story recounts that this son of mankind was born as all people are born, worked as others work; but simultaneously, by his “divine” estate, cured and saved many, healing physical and spiritual afflictions. Then, at the insidious behest of religious and secular authorities in Jerusalem, he was condemned to brutal torture, and death by crucifixion. Yet, the story relates that he arose, resurrected from his death and, by so doing, opened the doors of divine clemency and eternal life to all.
La Cuaresma springs from Ash Wednesday, when some two-anda-half billion Christian followers received — imposed on their foreheads, smudged in the shape of a cross — the ashes of burnt palms: marks of contrition, penitence and humility.
Those who received this mark of ashes signaled that they would follow the steps of contrition, and abstain from the vices and viciousness that are contrary to the Creator and to their brothers and sisters, and exercise acts of charity.
Here in El Norte, ancient spiritual practices and ejercicios of La Cuaresma continue.
Certain Lenten customs have been observed for many centuries, and are carried out with devout fervor in our ancient communities, in the churches and moradas and at the spiritual center of El Norte — El Santuario de Chimayo.
The people of El Norte and in the world almost all say that they have hope that the world will change from brutal war, from danger, from violence, from desperate anguish. Many live the Lenten season to better their attitudes, to turn away from abuse and vitriol against others, and to seek pardon from those who they have hurt; and to forgive those who might have injured them; and to reconcile with each other and with their Creator.
La Cuaresma in El Norte and in the world is vitally important, as it allows humanity near and far a respite for high quietude, for reflection and thought, and for meditation upon the significance of life and how to better treat all the human family. In this year, as in every year through two millennia and more, the spiritual necessity of the Lenten season for humankind is not diminished.
We know that in El Norte and elsewhere in the world, there are very ancient paths, both preChristian and Christian, that call humankind to “walk in beauty,” with clear eyes and far high vision, and with strong and caring hearts for one another.
May this journey through La Cuaresma guide the people towards those better ways.
THE BLESSING WAY
David A. Fernández de Taos