Lent Starts Tomorrow: Get Out Your Ax
We're following up on Sunday's post. It's our last chance to put some real thought into what you're going to do - spiritually - for Lent. If you haven't already made one or more resolutions, why not take a moment and do that right now. Make at least one resolution; you can always add to it tomorrow or the day after. But whatever your resolve, make it something serious. Go ahead.
OK. Whatever you decided - whether it was to give up something you enjoy or saying the rosary at least once a day, or attending daily Mass...whatever it is - remember that giving up stuff for Lent or practicing special devotions are all good. But getting out that axe and laying it to the root of some fault of faults of ours is the real deal.
Giving up stuff can become a sort of "self-improvement" exercise. But the point of mortifications is to grow closer to God, to become more Christ-like; not just to make ourselves feel better about ourselves.
We give up sweets and lose a little weight. Or how about that "heroic" giving up alcohol? There, we really don't have a drinking problem. Not a drop from Ash Wednesday right through Holy Saturday! Of course, when Easter rolls around, it's so much fun to eat chocolate and drink again. Silly isn't it?
Too many times, fasting and giving stuff up puts the focus on us, not God. Sure, we say we're doing it for Him, and sure, our intentions may be good. But is that what's really going on?
Take out that axe. Think of what's holding you back from being more Christ-like. Is it pride, selfishness, impure thoughts, greed, harshness of speech or manner? Whatever it is, start chopping away. And don't be afraid to put your shoulder into your swing. If it hurts, you're doing good.
And to get your mind off yourself, pray for the grace to keep your mind on Our Lord. Yes, you'll need grace for this. We're all sinners, weakened in our resolve to be holy by the effects of Original Sin. So grace is needed today, everyday, as much as you can get. For that you need to ask Our Lord, or perhaps you ask for the intercession of your favorite saint, that Our Lord send you the grace you need. Of course, there's Our Blessed Mother. Don't forget to ask for her intercession.
With that grace, you'll find your swing will be smoother and stronger. And the pain of chopping away at your faults, while it will hurt, will "hurt so good."
Lent begins tomorrow. Now, get out that ax and start geting closer to Christ.
OK. Whatever you decided - whether it was to give up something you enjoy or saying the rosary at least once a day, or attending daily Mass...whatever it is - remember that giving up stuff for Lent or practicing special devotions are all good. But getting out that axe and laying it to the root of some fault of faults of ours is the real deal.
Giving up stuff can become a sort of "self-improvement" exercise. But the point of mortifications is to grow closer to God, to become more Christ-like; not just to make ourselves feel better about ourselves.
We give up sweets and lose a little weight. Or how about that "heroic" giving up alcohol? There, we really don't have a drinking problem. Not a drop from Ash Wednesday right through Holy Saturday! Of course, when Easter rolls around, it's so much fun to eat chocolate and drink again. Silly isn't it?
Too many times, fasting and giving stuff up puts the focus on us, not God. Sure, we say we're doing it for Him, and sure, our intentions may be good. But is that what's really going on?
Take out that axe. Think of what's holding you back from being more Christ-like. Is it pride, selfishness, impure thoughts, greed, harshness of speech or manner? Whatever it is, start chopping away. And don't be afraid to put your shoulder into your swing. If it hurts, you're doing good.
And to get your mind off yourself, pray for the grace to keep your mind on Our Lord. Yes, you'll need grace for this. We're all sinners, weakened in our resolve to be holy by the effects of Original Sin. So grace is needed today, everyday, as much as you can get. For that you need to ask Our Lord, or perhaps you ask for the intercession of your favorite saint, that Our Lord send you the grace you need. Of course, there's Our Blessed Mother. Don't forget to ask for her intercession.
With that grace, you'll find your swing will be smoother and stronger. And the pain of chopping away at your faults, while it will hurt, will "hurt so good."
Lent begins tomorrow. Now, get out that ax and start geting closer to Christ.
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