‘What color purple will you wear?’

In 1982, Alice Walker wrote “The Color Purple,” recalling the life of a young black woman. During this time of Lent, the Catholic Church could also write a book; ours would be “Color Us Purple.” After all, this is our Catholic color for the next 40 days.

Isn’t it strange that purple is our color of penitence? At the time of Jesus, Tyrian purple was the color of the “elite.” It was a dye that was difficult to obtain and costly to make. Scriptural tradition makes the connection for us. At the time of Jesus’ Passion and crucifixion, the government officials derided him for stating he was a king (although not of this world). In a display of mockery, they had Jesus’ scourged and bloody body draped in a purple cape (in Mark and John; in Matthew it is a scarlet military robe). It was then, and remains for us today, a sign of contradiction. Everything as the world knows it, has been turned upside down. For the next 40 days, Jesus invites us into this contradiction.

Many people choose to wear the current liturgical color when they attend Mass on Sunday. What color purple will you wear? I am not asking about your clothing, rather what color purple will your heart wear to church? It may be the purple of a bruise. Will you bring a shade filled with all your pain, disappointments and fear? On the other hand, is this the Lent to honestly look at how you physically or mentally bruise others through your hurtful words or angry, spiteful actions?

Do you need to bring a “purple heart” to Mass? Do you need to be filled with bravery to turn away from those things in your life that keep you from a close relationship with Jesus? Is there someone you must make amends with? Have you done something wrong and the time has come to make restitution? Do you need a purple heart so that you can bravely go to confession?

Will you wear “purple mountains” majesty this Lent? Perhaps you can begin patterns in your life that ensure respect and conservation for this planet. Is it time for better and more moderate eating style? Can you improve on recycling habits? Are you ready to clean out closets and storage areas and share that abundance with others in need?

Are you being burdened by the purple of royalty? Lay that color before God and ask for help to set aside feelings of self-importance or entitlement. Begin to listen to others, to show respect for them and appreciate them. Seek to become more inclusive of all people.

This may be your Lent to wear the purple amethyst. This is the stone set into the rings worn by Catholic bishops and symbolizes piety, humility, sincerity and spiritual wisdom. Perhaps you need an amethyst Lent where you can give extra time to prayer, to quiet, to attending parish devotions or to the reading of Scripture or a spiritual book.

Maybe you simply need to bring your purple crayon to Lent. In the children’s book, “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” Harold learns that he has the power to create a world of his own simply by drawing it. If you are unhappy with your life, if you feel no sense of direction, if all you see before you are dead ends, take your purple crayon in hand and ask the Holy Spirit to set a fresh, blank sheet of paper in front of you.

We are the church! Color us purple! May you have a blessedly purple Lent!

Zahorik is pastoral associate at Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, Oshkosh.

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