Lenten messages
Every Archbishop and Bishop, along with the Pope are giving Lenten messages, and that is their duty, to instruct and guide the faithful in the observance of Lent. Believe me, I am not dismissing these messages, indeed, I have been edified by most.
As the Abbot of Katz - as in kitty cats - I have decided to post a few reflections on the observance of Lent.
St Benedict said that the monk’s life should always have the character of a lent, nevertheless he prescribed certain communal observances. I’m just going to offer a few observances of my own as to how people have ‘done’ their lent, and let you decide what you should or should not do.
The call to penance carries a warning; do not parade your good deeds before men, do not be gloomy when you fast, don’t let your right hand know what your left hand is doing.
So it’s not a sin to wipe the ashes from your forehead. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, it looks dumb. I prefer mixing ashes with food or having them sprinkled on your head. Do what you want however. Walk around in sackcloth for all I care - oh! that’s what a religious habit is.
Many people diet for lent, because they are obese and gluttonous. So don’t call it a fast if you’re trying to achieve a better waist size. I knew a nun who fasted all of Lent (she was on Weight Watchers) and on Easter Sunday was rushed to the ER because they thought she was having a heart attack…turned out she had over-eaten to such a degree, her body couldn’t take it. Discretion is the mother of all virtue.
Many people give up smoking for lent, because the habit causes cancer and they are trying to quit. It’s a good ascetical practice. Remember, lent is a time of conversion of manners, so don’t take it up again after the vigil on Holy Saturday. However, if you do, you have the consolation of knowing you accomplished something for lent.
In religious life I was often able to discover what other religious were doing for lent. (I’m very shrewd and observant, and nosey I suppose - without meaning to be of course!) The practice of charity is one of the best things one can do during lent. Having said that, sometimes I couldn’t help but notice, a religious going out of their way to be kind to and assist someone they disliked in community - sometimes in grandiose and patronizing ways - charity must have witnesses. Blowing them off after lent. (I know that sounds rather cynical, but I’ve witnessed it.)
Then there are those really big sacrifices people make, giving up chocolate, the unnerving sacrifice of giving up coffee - please, don’t do that if I work with you! (Caffeine deprivation is as bad as alcohol withdrawal in some cases.)
Other, more laudable practices include serving at a homeless shelter - please come back after lent! The homeless are still hungry and in need.
The very best observance is the deepening of one’s spiritual life through daily Mass and devotion, along with time for adoration and good spiritual reading. Let it be your new way of living - that way, your lent is more efficacious
I do become rather cynical about lent when it appears many people are doing things just to be nice, to diet, or to improve their health. Lent is sort of a Jenny Craig thing for a lot of people, and we seem to miss the deeper spiritual meaning of it.
What if the bride and bridegroom really quit their marriage bed? What if a person really gave up television, without substituting DVDs, and spent time in adoration, spiritual reading, and prayer? What if people didn’t go out for dinner every night, or had 1 cocktail instead of 3? Or just cut back on smoking - that becomes so much more difficult. Give up your chocolates, go on a diet you call a fast. And most definitely, do give alms - it supplies for every deficit.
More importantly, we might try to get over our 10 year old attitude about lent - grow up - do something more meaningful - act as if it is ourself who is going to die on Good Friday - striving to be converted and reconciled to God. Lent is a time of conversion after all. It’s so not just about ‘giving up’ stuff - ascesis is meant to be a freeing of the spirit, weighed down by the flesh, a conversion from a way of life that keeps us from union with God, an ascendancy towards union with His Divine plan, becoming more free to serve God and live in faithful cooperation with His will.
Consider adding these things to your ascesis:
Allow yourself to be used.
Allow yourself to be misunderstood.
Allow yourself to be ignored.
Allow yourself to be taught.
And then, reach out to those who have this done to them everyday - even if it is just a smile or a short prayer for them.
And finally, allow yourself to be loved, and quietly remain in His presence continually - not just at times of prayer - but in every activity, or rest, throughout the day.
It will be a profitable lent if you can accomplish that. Don’t think so much of what “you can do”. Allow the Lord to transform you.
Signed:
Dom Terrance of Jesus and the Holy Wounds, Abbot of Katz.
