Are humans like ogres?

In the first installment of the Shrek film series there is a scene where Shrek and Donkey are going to rescue Princess Fiona from the clutches of the castle with the fire breathing dragon. Along the way Donkey asks Shrek, "What are ogres like?" to which Shrek proceeds to tell Donkey, ogres are like onions because they have layers. Perhaps the same could said of us, can it not?

Each of us has layers, different elements that make up who we are, from our personalities to our personal experiences and within all this there are layers to us that everyone knows, just like the outer layer of an onion is exposed and evident to the inner most layer, perhaps the layer only we ourselves and God know. In between the outer and inner layers there are those layers that are known to some and not others, those that we freely share, and still others that we keep guarded.

During the season of Lent it is about peeling back the layers, examining what is there and growing. There is a lot of talk about what we sacrifice in Lent but there should also be equal talk about what we will take on as a means of growth. Reflecting upon the layers in our lives should help reveal where we need to grow.

Just as in the Gospel this Sunday where the friends of the paralytic broke through the roof to lower their friend down into the presence of Christ so too we are called to peel back or break through the layers of our lives in order to place ourselves into Christ's presence in a deeper way. This may mean we have to let our guard down, to let the walls in our lives come down. This may mean not only taking in and examining what perceive about ourselves but also listening for the truth in what others say about us.

It is not easy to expose and open ourselves up to change and transformation. Sometimes it is easier to stay in the comfort of where we are, even if where we are is not exactly where we want to be, need to be, or is the best for us. As St. Paul reminds us that God has put the Spirit into our hearts and with that a "Yes," reminding us that indeed through God's grace all things are possible, not easy, but possible.

During Lent let us not be afraid to examine the layers of our lives, and with courage, honesty, faith, and an open heart, allow the Lord to transform and bring us to new life through His life, death, and resurrection, i.e. The Paschal Mystery.

Sunday's Mass readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021912.cfm