Lent

"The purpose of Lent is not only expiation, to satisfy the
divine justice, but above all a preparation to rejoice in God's
love. And this preparation consists in receiving the gift of
God's mercy - a gift which we receive in so far as we open our
hearts to it, casting out what cannot remain in the same room
with mercy.

Now one of the things we must cast out first of all is fear.
Fear narrows the little entrance of our heart. It shrinks up our
capacity to love. It freezes up our power to give ourselves. If
we were terrified of God as an inexorable judge, we would not
confidently await God's mercy, or approach God trustfully in
prayer. Our peace, our joy in Lent are a guarantee of grace."

- Thomas Merton, in "Seasons of Celebration"