Ash Wednesday at Work
There's lots of stuff written about observing Lent, although not much about observing Lent at work. But if we're going to observe Lent, we can't just think about what we're going to do outside of our work. There should be things we do while we're working. Doesn't this make sense?
I think it makes sense because we were all put here on earth with one goal: to get to Heaven. So when we're at work, we should be working our way to Heaven.
Lent begins today, Ash Wednesday. The older formula used by priests when they place ashes on your forehead (still used by some priests) was "Remember man that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return." I always liked that formula because it lays out the reality of our mortality - the one thing certain in this life.
We're all going to die. Worldly people can't stand thinking about this. Catholics should embrace it.
Worldly people stick their heads in the sand and spend their time distracting themselves by acquiring "stuff," seeking pleasures, and generally wasting the precious gift of life. Death is too dark, depressing somber, pessimistic, even morbid.
Catholics know that it is death that gives meaning to life. The older formula reminds us of this. We know our goal is to get to Heaven. And we should know that our life here on earth has been given to us for the sole purpose of our interior purification and sanctification.
Lent gives us time for some serious penance. Real penitence is a change of heart, involving a change of life. It includes mortification, sacrifice, sorrow for our sins, expiation for them by prayer, mortification, sacrifice, self-control, and a firm purpose of amendment for the future.
All of this can be brought to our work each day during Lent. We know - or should know - our shortcomings and failures. And these apply during our work time. Maybe we're not as cheerful, charitable, helpful, or friendly to those around us as we should be. Maybe we don't apply our skills and talents as diligently as we should to every bit of our work. Whatever our shortcomings and failures, Lent is the time for us to address these, day by day, even minute by minute.
Don't leave Lent "outside." Lent belongs in our work. Bring Lent to work with you every day for the next 40 days of Lent.
Ash Wednesday "kicks off" the Season of Lent. Use the graces we get from those ashes on our foreheads as motivation and inspiration to keep Lent at work.
Your eternal happiness waits. Lent is the way. Work your way to Heaven in a special way, with the graces available to all of us who bring the spirit of Lent to our work.
I think it makes sense because we were all put here on earth with one goal: to get to Heaven. So when we're at work, we should be working our way to Heaven.
Lent begins today, Ash Wednesday. The older formula used by priests when they place ashes on your forehead (still used by some priests) was "Remember man that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return." I always liked that formula because it lays out the reality of our mortality - the one thing certain in this life.
We're all going to die. Worldly people can't stand thinking about this. Catholics should embrace it.
Worldly people stick their heads in the sand and spend their time distracting themselves by acquiring "stuff," seeking pleasures, and generally wasting the precious gift of life. Death is too dark, depressing somber, pessimistic, even morbid.
Catholics know that it is death that gives meaning to life. The older formula reminds us of this. We know our goal is to get to Heaven. And we should know that our life here on earth has been given to us for the sole purpose of our interior purification and sanctification.
Lent gives us time for some serious penance. Real penitence is a change of heart, involving a change of life. It includes mortification, sacrifice, sorrow for our sins, expiation for them by prayer, mortification, sacrifice, self-control, and a firm purpose of amendment for the future.
All of this can be brought to our work each day during Lent. We know - or should know - our shortcomings and failures. And these apply during our work time. Maybe we're not as cheerful, charitable, helpful, or friendly to those around us as we should be. Maybe we don't apply our skills and talents as diligently as we should to every bit of our work. Whatever our shortcomings and failures, Lent is the time for us to address these, day by day, even minute by minute.
Don't leave Lent "outside." Lent belongs in our work. Bring Lent to work with you every day for the next 40 days of Lent.
Ash Wednesday "kicks off" the Season of Lent. Use the graces we get from those ashes on our foreheads as motivation and inspiration to keep Lent at work.
Your eternal happiness waits. Lent is the way. Work your way to Heaven in a special way, with the graces available to all of us who bring the spirit of Lent to our work.
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