Bringing Lent to Work - Again
We're continuing our discussion about observing Lent at work. We left off with the thought that Lent, properly observed, helps us to stop thinking so much about ourselves; it helps us to know, love and serve God better, our whole purpose in this life.
We live in a secular world full of creature comforts, a world that easily can distract us from what is really important. Even if you are experiencing material hardship, or emotional difficulties, even spiritual struggle, let's face it: our world - at least for the vast majority of us who live in the West - is a lot more comfortable and luxurious than many places on earth. So Lent can help shake us out of that deadly comfort that lulls many of us into a kind of spiritual sleep-walking state.
To know, love and serve God is a fine phrase, isn't it? But Lent reminds us that knowing, loving and serving God requires sacrifice. And any sacrifices we take on ourselves during this Holy Season are intended to reinforce that understanding. They're not meant to puff up our pride, to make us "feel" holy, to - heaven forbid - make us think we're somehow "better" than others. They're simply meant to help us grow in holiness, to draw nearer to God.
But this world of ours sometimes seems designed to turn us away from God; or, at least, it keeps us so distracted from our true purpose in this life that we, in the end, drift away from God. Certainly the secular society in which we live does not recognize the primacy of the Kingship of Jesus Christ. But I think even more insidious than the blatant rejection of Christ and His Holy Law is the emphasis on comfort and pleasure that the world "sells" to us at every turn.
I recently read a review of the book "The Hobbit," written on the occasion of the release of the movie made based on the book. I haven't seen the movie, but I read the book years ago. It's about a character who leaves the comfortable environs of his home, his lovely, pleasant village called "The Shire," and goes on a journey. This review comes from a Catholic publication, The Wanderer, and provides some observations helpful to our discussion today:
But you know, of course, the spirit in which you should work. And with Lent you have a special opportunity to develop that spirit. You can work in the spirit of sacrifice, more accurately, the spirit of Love, of a Catholic man working for the greater glory of God.
Thank you, Lord, for this Holy Season. Thank you for reminding me of the spirit of sacrifice that should mark all my work. Keep me from the lures of comfort and pleasure that the world wants to dish out at every turn. Help my in my little sacrifices throughout this day to draw nearer to You.
Oh, and please accept my special prayer for our pope emeritus Benedict XVI. I thank you for his reign as pope and pray that you will bless him in his seclusion.
We live in a secular world full of creature comforts, a world that easily can distract us from what is really important. Even if you are experiencing material hardship, or emotional difficulties, even spiritual struggle, let's face it: our world - at least for the vast majority of us who live in the West - is a lot more comfortable and luxurious than many places on earth. So Lent can help shake us out of that deadly comfort that lulls many of us into a kind of spiritual sleep-walking state.
To know, love and serve God is a fine phrase, isn't it? But Lent reminds us that knowing, loving and serving God requires sacrifice. And any sacrifices we take on ourselves during this Holy Season are intended to reinforce that understanding. They're not meant to puff up our pride, to make us "feel" holy, to - heaven forbid - make us think we're somehow "better" than others. They're simply meant to help us grow in holiness, to draw nearer to God.
But this world of ours sometimes seems designed to turn us away from God; or, at least, it keeps us so distracted from our true purpose in this life that we, in the end, drift away from God. Certainly the secular society in which we live does not recognize the primacy of the Kingship of Jesus Christ. But I think even more insidious than the blatant rejection of Christ and His Holy Law is the emphasis on comfort and pleasure that the world "sells" to us at every turn.
I recently read a review of the book "The Hobbit," written on the occasion of the release of the movie made based on the book. I haven't seen the movie, but I read the book years ago. It's about a character who leaves the comfortable environs of his home, his lovely, pleasant village called "The Shire," and goes on a journey. This review comes from a Catholic publication, The Wanderer, and provides some observations helpful to our discussion today:
Life is not about the pursuit of creature comforts and taking the path of least resistance. It is about Love, which can be defined as willingly laying down our lives for others. In leaving the comfort of the Shire, our own 'space' and comfort zone, and embracing the many crosses (sufferings) that the adventure (life) places in our path and in giving ourselves willingly in the service of others, we grow in virtue, which is the only growth in stature that matters.When you leave for work tomorrow, think about this. Ask yourself why you work hard each day. Is it to achieve creature comforts, or do you work in this kind of spirit of sacrifice. Maybe a mix of each?
But you know, of course, the spirit in which you should work. And with Lent you have a special opportunity to develop that spirit. You can work in the spirit of sacrifice, more accurately, the spirit of Love, of a Catholic man working for the greater glory of God.
Thank you, Lord, for this Holy Season. Thank you for reminding me of the spirit of sacrifice that should mark all my work. Keep me from the lures of comfort and pleasure that the world wants to dish out at every turn. Help my in my little sacrifices throughout this day to draw nearer to You.
Oh, and please accept my special prayer for our pope emeritus Benedict XVI. I thank you for his reign as pope and pray that you will bless him in his seclusion.
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