(Feb. 11) In this holy season of Lent we take the plunge of faith into God’s presence. We come to a deeper appreciation of Christ’s salvation history through our Lenten journey. In many ways we attempt to do things for Christ rather than allowing Christ to do things through us. But we need to reflect on what God wants us to be and do, rather than reflect on our functional pragmatic “to do” lists.

Paul writes to the Philippians: “Christ will be exalted through me.” Many times he used the preposition “through” in his writings.

Having a sense of instrumentality or being an agent of God’s ministry is a matter of faith: that conviction that the spirit of Jesus and the Creator has been given to us to build the kin-dom. It’s a matter of collaboration, a working together, an obedience that puts our will at the service of Jesus Christ.

There is a central metaphor in the gospel of John that captures well the spiritual connections. It may be the spirituality of “through-ness.” Our relationship is the image of the vine and branches. The vine channels its juices and sustains life “through” branches so that they may bear fruits and produce a rich harvest. The branches have intrinsic value, but if not seen in the context of the vine and the fruits, their life would lack meaning and purpose. Branches are agents of life and find their purpose in passing on nutrition and life that they are given.

So what does God want to be and do “through” our Christian community? We see relationship! Paul had an intimate relationship with the person of Jesus. This friendship was so deep that Paul experienced transformation. He experienced the death of his false self and now lived the life of Jesus.

Paul’s thoughts and ways of life were no longer that of the old man but of a renewed spirit. Jesus worked “through” Paul as he preached and guided the early Christian communities. We know even death was attractive to Paul because it was a gateway into full communion with Christ. Paul’s mystical joy was to continue to be an instrument of Christ.

As we walk in this season, we see the truth of Paul’s teaching that we are the body of Christ, and each of us is an indispensable part of the whole.

Many saints in Christian history are not self-employed. They were servants and agents of the mystery of God. These individuals have become so transparent and open that God’s message and vision shines “through” them.

“An unanswered question is a fine traveling companion. It sharpens your eye for the road,” writes Rachel Naomi Remen. What does God want us to be and do?

If we reflect the Scripture openly, it will give us questions and sharper eyes for the road.

If we fast one meal a day, it expands our search and brings awareness of God’s grace. If we take a silent meditation, about 30 minutes a day, the blessing soaks us into deep mystery in Lenten journey.

If we sit down with friends and share about our personal testimony, sometimes it could be an experience of the “dark night of the soul,” we may praise in God’s gentle and steady love.

Lent is the time of self-examination and reaffirmation through Christ’s pilgrimage and suffering. As agents of God we are called to serve and pass on Christ’s love to others.

Lenten spirituality is all about connectedness. To the degree that we are boned to the living and true God, we will bear fruit that will last. In so doing we will be enriched by the grace of Christ Jesus.