Preparing for Lent at Work...Continued
Having established last time that it would be good for us to prepare for Lent at work, let's look at some specific suggestions about just how to do that. First we recall the three areas the Church designates for our Lenten discipline: prayer, fasting, almsgiving. Let's look at each in turn.
Prayer
If you haven't developed the habit of prayer at work, now's a good time to begin. You might simply say grace before you eat lunch, as a start. Now add a quick prayer as you begin the day's labor. Maybe something simple like, "I offer my work this day to you, Dear Lord." And if you're really determined, you might on occasion internally pray an aspiration like, "I love you Jesus." This doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming.
If you already manage to pray during your busy day - at least on occasion - you can amplify your efforts. But tread lightly here. The object should not be "ramp up" your prayers by trying to increase their number or the times you take a "mental break" to pray. Piling on prayers will likely only increase a sense of anxiousness as you spiritually scurry about to jam in this or that prayer into what may already be a burdensome list of obligations and deadlines. As a general rule, by the way, whenever you feel anxious in your spiritual life, something's askew. (Not that I'm some spiritual master or anything; it's just what I've read, and, frankly, it's common sense: peace and serenity help us grow closer to God, not worry and anxiety. And that's, in fact, what you'll read in any good spiritual work.) So maybe you say your current prayers a bit more slowly, with more focused intention. Or maybe you tell Our Lord you will work this day for His greater glory - again slowly, carefully, with intention. Again, it doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming.
Fasting
How about a simple practice here. Most of us at least eat lunch (if not breakfast) on the job. Besides making sure you say grace, you can then delay the actual eating of your lunch for 2 or 3 minutes. Doesn't sound like much, but if you've never done it, you'll see. It takes some discipline. And you offer up your "delayed gratification" to Our Lord. Maybe you even for a moment look at the crucifix on your rosary, or simply remember Him hanging there on His cross as He suffered and died for you. It takes seconds to do this. But done with intention, it's a beautiful and penitential practice.
Or maybe you've decided (or your spiritual director has recommended) some actual fasting: giving up either a certain quantity of food at a meal, or some condiment that usually accompanies your fare: butter, sandwich spreads, salt, sugar, etc. Again, done with intention, even better with love for Him Who gave up his life so that you could enjoy the eternal joy of Heaven someday with Him.
Almsgiving
Remembering that giving alms can mean giving not just money, but anything else of yourself in a spirit of charity, the opportunities abound for us to practice almsgiving at work. Maybe you start by giving something to others: a smile no particular reason (or at least not grumping!); a helping hand when you see they're in need; explaining an assignment or task to an employee or team member, without any sense of impatience or frustration, even in the face of the occasional thick-headed person who can't seem to grasp the point, or at least requires your taking more time to get the point across.
And if the object or your charity is someone who typically rubs your wrong way, so much the better!
I'm sure you can come up with specifics that fit you, your personality, and your particular workplace. Why don't you do that right now. It won't take more than a few minutes. And once you do, how about you write down what you've decided to do for Lent at work. This way you won't forget, and you might even actually follow through for the forty days our Holy Church designates for this penitential season.
Prayer
If you haven't developed the habit of prayer at work, now's a good time to begin. You might simply say grace before you eat lunch, as a start. Now add a quick prayer as you begin the day's labor. Maybe something simple like, "I offer my work this day to you, Dear Lord." And if you're really determined, you might on occasion internally pray an aspiration like, "I love you Jesus." This doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming.
If you already manage to pray during your busy day - at least on occasion - you can amplify your efforts. But tread lightly here. The object should not be "ramp up" your prayers by trying to increase their number or the times you take a "mental break" to pray. Piling on prayers will likely only increase a sense of anxiousness as you spiritually scurry about to jam in this or that prayer into what may already be a burdensome list of obligations and deadlines. As a general rule, by the way, whenever you feel anxious in your spiritual life, something's askew. (Not that I'm some spiritual master or anything; it's just what I've read, and, frankly, it's common sense: peace and serenity help us grow closer to God, not worry and anxiety. And that's, in fact, what you'll read in any good spiritual work.) So maybe you say your current prayers a bit more slowly, with more focused intention. Or maybe you tell Our Lord you will work this day for His greater glory - again slowly, carefully, with intention. Again, it doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming.
Fasting
How about a simple practice here. Most of us at least eat lunch (if not breakfast) on the job. Besides making sure you say grace, you can then delay the actual eating of your lunch for 2 or 3 minutes. Doesn't sound like much, but if you've never done it, you'll see. It takes some discipline. And you offer up your "delayed gratification" to Our Lord. Maybe you even for a moment look at the crucifix on your rosary, or simply remember Him hanging there on His cross as He suffered and died for you. It takes seconds to do this. But done with intention, it's a beautiful and penitential practice.
Or maybe you've decided (or your spiritual director has recommended) some actual fasting: giving up either a certain quantity of food at a meal, or some condiment that usually accompanies your fare: butter, sandwich spreads, salt, sugar, etc. Again, done with intention, even better with love for Him Who gave up his life so that you could enjoy the eternal joy of Heaven someday with Him.
Almsgiving
Remembering that giving alms can mean giving not just money, but anything else of yourself in a spirit of charity, the opportunities abound for us to practice almsgiving at work. Maybe you start by giving something to others: a smile no particular reason (or at least not grumping!); a helping hand when you see they're in need; explaining an assignment or task to an employee or team member, without any sense of impatience or frustration, even in the face of the occasional thick-headed person who can't seem to grasp the point, or at least requires your taking more time to get the point across.
And if the object or your charity is someone who typically rubs your wrong way, so much the better!
I'm sure you can come up with specifics that fit you, your personality, and your particular workplace. Why don't you do that right now. It won't take more than a few minutes. And once you do, how about you write down what you've decided to do for Lent at work. This way you won't forget, and you might even actually follow through for the forty days our Holy Church designates for this penitential season.
Comments