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Examining our Attitudes About Lent
"People are discouraged from approaching penance because they see it from the wrong angle. They think at once of what they will have to do in the way of disagreeable hardship. If they thought about it as turning wholly to God, which is to see it from the right angle, they would be more ready to pursue its implications...
The only kind of penitence that is worth anything is conversion. Not only conversion from but conversion to... To turn your back on sin is one thing, and is a good start, but it will not help you for long unless you turn your eyes toward grace..."
Dom Hubert Van Zellar, in "Spirit of Penance: Path to God", New Hampshire, Sophia Institute Press, 1998, p5
posted by Holly at 1:41 PM
1 Comments:
Lent is about meeting God.
It's not about bracing myself as I give up pop and chips. It's not about groaning because I need that coffee. It's not about secret rebellion because I have deprived myself of something and now I can't have it. It's not about stopping something, although any rejection of real sin in our lives is good, of course.
We cannot remove something from our lives and then not put something in - I cannot take away candy from my children and then leave them with nothing. They'll be back at the candy jar pretty soon. Better that I fill in the void with some fruit or something healthy...
So too, Lent is not just about giving something up, although it can include this. Lent is about meeting someone - God! Lent is about removing sin and then filling ourselves up with God.
In Lent, there is a negative and positive action. I can give something up or deny myself, but I have to see meaning in this - a real purpose. If someone tries to quit smoking, the worst thing is to say "I'll never have another smoke again." The ex-smoker is bound to fail. It is easier if the person focuses on the positive motives for doing it - "If I quit smoking, I'll be healthier, richer, and better." The positive movement toward a good is what gives meaning and strength to our decisions.
Now, since God calls us to Himself and asks us for the fulfillment of our vocations - Lent in itself is a good time to check and see if we are doing this - are we trying to surrender ourselves to God's Will in our lives?
Do I have adequate prayer time? Are my 5 Ps in order? Am I fulfilling my obligations? Do I realize God wants me to do this well? Will I say "Yes" to God? What about my attitudes? Can I be more faithful? At Fatima, The Blessed Mother told us that, as far as penance goes, God would be happy if we fulfilled our daily duties well!
Remember St Faustina said that no penance or mortification surpasses the rule. We can always spend Lent assessing our fidelity to our vocations, and learn to bring each action under the control of a reasoned and conscious decision to say "Yes" to God. Meeting Him through this is what it's all about.
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