Lent has sprung
Lent is here, my friends, and I am quite happy about that.
Happy, you say? Why, isn't Lent about wandering around tragically, being deprived of all that is good and enjoyable, feeling miserable, and looking dour?
No, no, no and no (although I assume you gathered that; that was an obvious straw man of an expression).
In case you did think Lent was about these things, let's recall Ash Wednesday's Gospel.
"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Ah yes, being pleasant about our Lenten penances.
So back to me being happy about Lent.
Here's a secret: I've always liked Lent. No, I don't like penance (I see it's purpose, but ouch, it's rough). But I do like a fresh start. I like a reminder to shake off the Old Me.
Holy Week is beautiful. Lent is awesome, even when grueling. Easter is just... well... amazing. It's all such a beautiful crescendo.
The one problem with all this is me. I can't think of a better liturgical season for spiritual growth and conversion of heart. Yet stupid ol' me, I keep getting in the way. It's like the phrase, "Youth is wasted on the young."
How about "Catholicism is wasted on the Catholics."
For instance, I usually wait until Ash Wednesday to decide what to give up, and end up choosing chocolate or ice cream or something meager like that for Lent. I also plan to say 15 decades of the Rosary and the Stations of the Cross and the Liturgy of the Hours. Every day.
I get to the Saturday before the first Sunday of Lent and realize I'm already failing, add new ideas and lofty spiritual goals, fail miserably again, and POOF, it's Holy Week. Lenten Jenna bites the dust.
So this year I decided to use Candlemas to decide what to give up. No petty junk food penances (although they do do me good, I'm sure, at least in the waistline). And instead of racking my own brain, I decided to ask God. What did He want me to give up for Lent?
His answer?
Self-pity.
I have noticed in the very short time that I have tried to give this up that I actually am hooked on self-pity. How... piteous, if you will. If it's not how hard my life is (which it isn't), or how misunderstood I feel (which I'm not), it's my sleep-deprivation, my lack of a cute hair-cut, my wishing I could see my friends more... anything.
How ridiculous, unproductive, and mostly, ungrateful. I am really looking forward to breaking this habit!
Here is a marvelous quote which I will tape above my sink as I wash dishes (which, believe me, is a favourite place and activity to use for wallowing in my self-pity)
"....identify and practice faithfully just one really magnificent goal for your personal conversion this Lent. I say conversion and not "personal improvement" lest anyone interpret the call to spiritual discipline as a chance to lose weight or quit smoking! What Lent demands of us is to look into our vicious, slothful and petty nature and challenge it with the full prophetic force of the Gospel." Father Tom Euteneuer, Human Life International
Vicious, slothful, petty. You bet; all that and more.
Here's hoping -- with the grace of God -- this heart of mine can change.
Happy, you say? Why, isn't Lent about wandering around tragically, being deprived of all that is good and enjoyable, feeling miserable, and looking dour?
No, no, no and no (although I assume you gathered that; that was an obvious straw man of an expression).
In case you did think Lent was about these things, let's recall Ash Wednesday's Gospel.
"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Ah yes, being pleasant about our Lenten penances.
So back to me being happy about Lent.
Here's a secret: I've always liked Lent. No, I don't like penance (I see it's purpose, but ouch, it's rough). But I do like a fresh start. I like a reminder to shake off the Old Me.
Holy Week is beautiful. Lent is awesome, even when grueling. Easter is just... well... amazing. It's all such a beautiful crescendo.
The one problem with all this is me. I can't think of a better liturgical season for spiritual growth and conversion of heart. Yet stupid ol' me, I keep getting in the way. It's like the phrase, "Youth is wasted on the young."
How about "Catholicism is wasted on the Catholics."
For instance, I usually wait until Ash Wednesday to decide what to give up, and end up choosing chocolate or ice cream or something meager like that for Lent. I also plan to say 15 decades of the Rosary and the Stations of the Cross and the Liturgy of the Hours. Every day.
I get to the Saturday before the first Sunday of Lent and realize I'm already failing, add new ideas and lofty spiritual goals, fail miserably again, and POOF, it's Holy Week. Lenten Jenna bites the dust.
So this year I decided to use Candlemas to decide what to give up. No petty junk food penances (although they do do me good, I'm sure, at least in the waistline). And instead of racking my own brain, I decided to ask God. What did He want me to give up for Lent?
His answer?
Self-pity.
I have noticed in the very short time that I have tried to give this up that I actually am hooked on self-pity. How... piteous, if you will. If it's not how hard my life is (which it isn't), or how misunderstood I feel (which I'm not), it's my sleep-deprivation, my lack of a cute hair-cut, my wishing I could see my friends more... anything.
How ridiculous, unproductive, and mostly, ungrateful. I am really looking forward to breaking this habit!
Here is a marvelous quote which I will tape above my sink as I wash dishes (which, believe me, is a favourite place and activity to use for wallowing in my self-pity)
"....identify and practice faithfully just one really magnificent goal for your personal conversion this Lent. I say conversion and not "personal improvement" lest anyone interpret the call to spiritual discipline as a chance to lose weight or quit smoking! What Lent demands of us is to look into our vicious, slothful and petty nature and challenge it with the full prophetic force of the Gospel." Father Tom Euteneuer, Human Life International
Vicious, slothful, petty. You bet; all that and more.
Here's hoping -- with the grace of God -- this heart of mine can change.
As I nagged Dave the other night about how he needed to take his lenten practices more seriously I heard the Lord say, "Give up naggingyour husband, Elena." Oh.
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