A Second Sunday of Lent Thought to Start the Week Off Right
Most of us live in circumstances that don't impose much austerity. Consider how people lived in centuries past, never mind in those parts of the world not blessed with benefits of Western economic development. So it's understandable that the prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that traditionally accompany us during Lent may be a special challenge - especially the fasting. But it wasn't so long ago that Holy Mother Church expected most of us to fast and observe partial abstinence every day (except Sundays) during Lent. That fast consisted of eating only one full per day, and eating meat only once per day (except, of course Fridays, when we ate no meat).
Most of my Lents have been spent bereft of this fast and abstinence. But in recent years, having reconnected with the tradition during the course of my informal study of Church history and tradition, I've picked up the practice, and with some success. (Occasional slips and falls being part of our lot as fallen creatures, we need not cause fret or despair; we just need to get up and get on with it, the sooner, the better.) Along the way, I've been amazed at the sometimes dismayed reactions of those with whom I've shared the knowledge of this tradition. It's bad enough when someone dismisses the formerly general practice of Lenten fasting as somehow old fashioned or perhaps not "appropriate" for our times (whatever that could possibly mean); but occasionally some poor soul has responded to the idea almost in horror. It's as if they were being asked to do something far beyond their capability. Really?
Consider that the Church's teaching on this matter was always quite understanding and even-handed. The list of exceptions included those who worked at hard labor that taxed them in some significant manner; those over 59; the sick or feeble...the list goes on. You clearly see the "mind" of a true Mother behind all this. That's why we used to commonly call Her Holy Mother Church.
As understanding and practically considerate as this "old" teaching may have been, let's not lose sight of the fact that we ought to consider fasting as a regular - if selective and occasional - practice any time of year. It's especially valuable for those of us who live in developed countries where bounty of every sort surrounds us. Sadly, the only discussion of fasting we ever encounter these days comes from those who wish to lose weight or otherwise improve their physical well-being. You hardly hear about the benefits to the soul anymore.
With this in mind, I thought I'd share with you this selection on practical self-denial from a spiritual letter by Father Daniel Considine, S. J. If you find it difficult to wrap your mind around the spiritual benefits of fasting, you may find his comments especially salutary. I was especially taken with his insight about the effect our "nerves" have on us these days. (You might substitute "stress" or "anxiety" for "nerves" here; but I think you'll get his point.) And perhaps, without having to tackle the dreaded practice of actually fasting, you might derive some spiritual benefit from his suggestions, not only during Lent, but any time of year.
Concluding in the spirit of this holy season we pray:
A blessed Sunday and holy Lent to all!
Most of my Lents have been spent bereft of this fast and abstinence. But in recent years, having reconnected with the tradition during the course of my informal study of Church history and tradition, I've picked up the practice, and with some success. (Occasional slips and falls being part of our lot as fallen creatures, we need not cause fret or despair; we just need to get up and get on with it, the sooner, the better.) Along the way, I've been amazed at the sometimes dismayed reactions of those with whom I've shared the knowledge of this tradition. It's bad enough when someone dismisses the formerly general practice of Lenten fasting as somehow old fashioned or perhaps not "appropriate" for our times (whatever that could possibly mean); but occasionally some poor soul has responded to the idea almost in horror. It's as if they were being asked to do something far beyond their capability. Really?
Consider that the Church's teaching on this matter was always quite understanding and even-handed. The list of exceptions included those who worked at hard labor that taxed them in some significant manner; those over 59; the sick or feeble...the list goes on. You clearly see the "mind" of a true Mother behind all this. That's why we used to commonly call Her Holy Mother Church.
As understanding and practically considerate as this "old" teaching may have been, let's not lose sight of the fact that we ought to consider fasting as a regular - if selective and occasional - practice any time of year. It's especially valuable for those of us who live in developed countries where bounty of every sort surrounds us. Sadly, the only discussion of fasting we ever encounter these days comes from those who wish to lose weight or otherwise improve their physical well-being. You hardly hear about the benefits to the soul anymore.
With this in mind, I thought I'd share with you this selection on practical self-denial from a spiritual letter by Father Daniel Considine, S. J. If you find it difficult to wrap your mind around the spiritual benefits of fasting, you may find his comments especially salutary. I was especially taken with his insight about the effect our "nerves" have on us these days. (You might substitute "stress" or "anxiety" for "nerves" here; but I think you'll get his point.) And perhaps, without having to tackle the dreaded practice of actually fasting, you might derive some spiritual benefit from his suggestions, not only during Lent, but any time of year.
“St. Paul says: ‘I will chastise my body and bring it into subjection, lest, having preached to others, I myself become a castaway.” It is a great mistake to think that without bodily austerities we cannot draw very near to God. Without bodily austerities we can withdraw all obstacles between Himself and ourselves; we can get a very intimate knowledge of Him and can please Him very much. He will not keep His choicest gifts from us because of the way in which we are circumstanced. In the days of great austerities nerves did not exist. They are a product of our time. Nerves are the austerities we have to bear today.Now there's something any of us can manage these days, don't you think?
Bear with yourself, your depression, gloom, moods, and variability of temper. To bear with one’s self is an act of great virtue. A very great deal of evil comes from the fact that a fit of nerves is so often mistaken for something wrong with the soul…We feel rotten. Not to lose patience with ourselves when we feel rotten is a very high virtue. The worst form of nerves is depression. People really believe that they have lost faith, hope, love, everything. It is a very great trial. St Teresa says: ‘The worst of sickness is that it so weakens you, you cannot fix your thoughts on God.’ But this is of no consequence. It is the doing for God that is important, not the thinking of God. It is a very great trial to many of us to be unable to get every day to Holy Communion. But to bear quietly without weakness (without giving up), because it is His Will, pleases Him a great deal more than the most fervent Communion we ever made. Headaches are a great trial. We cannot pray with a ‘head’; but if we bear with ourselves it is more meritorious than the best of prayers.”
Concluding in the spirit of this holy season we pray:
We adore Thee O Christ and we bless Thee
because by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
A blessed Sunday and holy Lent to all!
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