Remember spring cleaning?

When the days grew longer and the temperature rose, people would set about cleaning their homes and their yards. Leaves were raked and gutters emptied out. Open windows let in fresh air. Winter sweaters were put in mothballs. Lighter clothing was pulled out of storage. Floors were mopped, carpets swept, and old food from the back of the fridge was tossed.

Some of that spring cleaning is connected to Lent and Easter. People expected guests for the great holiday. Special foods needed to be prepared. We wanted our homes to look their best, our kitchens to be the cleanest they could be. It almost had the refreshing fervor of a Jewish household ridding the home of all leaven so that Passover could be kept.

We’re at the home stretch for Lent. Today, the Church’s prayer takes on a slightly different note. We’re entering into Passiontide, a time of reflection on Christ’s suffering and death. Next weekend will be Palm Sunday, with its long and somber proclamation of the Passion Narrative (from St Luke’s gospel this year). And then the Sacred Triduum from Holy Thursday evening through Easter Sunday night.

Important feasts that deserve our spring cleaning!

Let’s organize ourselves for a bit of clean up. If we don’t think we have time to pray and worship during the holiest week of the year, maybe we need to readjust our daily schedule a bit. If we haven’t made it confession this Lent, maybe we should put ourselves in that line this week or next. If we fell short in keeping our Lenten sacrifices, let’s start anew today—two weeks of prayerful attention can, in fact, prepare us to celebrate the Lord’s death and resurrection.

Maybe the equinox has come and gone. But the true springtime, the springtime that brings life to our souls, is just around the corner. Let’s make ourselves ready for this Easter