Building On Our Lenten Discipline During This Easter Season
We began our Easter Season at work first with a reminder that our Lenten discipline - if we pursued if faithfully - has likely left its mark on us, even if we don't really see or feel it.
We next looked at our current unusual (to put it mildly) circumstances and looked for rays of Easter light to shine on us whatever our condition might be.
First, let's think about that progress we may or may not perceive, but our faith teaches us we likely have made, based upon our diligent Lenten discipline. If we believe we've made progress, then we should understand that such progress remains "there for us." We can and should turn to God, thank Him for the graces He has bestowed upon us during Lent.
After that, we can and should continue to lead a disciplined spiritual life. Rather than throw our special acts of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to the four winds. let's recollect ourselves and keep up the good work we began so many weeks ago.
We can and should make a special effort to pray more frequently and in a more recollected fashion. At work, our first line of prayer during a busy day could be simple aspirations. Simple as in: "My Jesus, I love You" - "Help me, Lord"...You can easily make your own aspirations. Choose those that most suit your character and personality. No need for formalism here
We can and should mortify ourselves. Maybe these will not be as intense or as frequent as those we practiced during Lent. But we can still, for example, delay our eating lunch, after saying grace. If we delayed 3 minutes during Lent, maybe it's 2 minutes now. If we decided to keep custody of our eyes more stringently, then we continue this now: No need to let up. (In fact, don't let up. You'll just be asking for trouble.)
We can and should continue with our almsgiving. This includes generosity with our material goods - helping those who need our help - and with ourselves - being charitable towards others. In this C-virus world of ours, we might find reasons to refocus here: Maybe we've got a family member out of work. Can we lend a hand with our material wealth? What about our interactions with co-workers via email, Zoom, or whatever other digital format being used by your company? Are you taking the time to express your thoughts clearly and fully? Are you being meticulously charitable if someone sends you a message that's a bit short or abrupt?
God has surely rewarded our Lenten discipline. Build on the progress He has permitted.
Just as we need to step up our game at work to manage our business during this economic crisis, so too let's step up our spiritual game during this blessed Easter Season. More on this next time...
We next looked at our current unusual (to put it mildly) circumstances and looked for rays of Easter light to shine on us whatever our condition might be.
- Some of us are simply working as we always have
- Some are working from home for the first time and may find the experience strange, disconcerting, difficult.
- Some working at home, on the other hand, may find it rather pleasant not having to face a daily commute and what - for some - may be an unpleasant work environment.
- Those of us still in our years of school studies are likely grappling with a whole new "virtual" way of learning and interacting with teachers and classmates.
- Then there are those of us who may have lost our jobs, or been furloughed. For some, it's a time of great anxiety over the future. Even if you have some reserves set aside for emergencies - unemployment being one example of such - your mind may be racing ahead and wondering if and when you can get back to work.
First, let's think about that progress we may or may not perceive, but our faith teaches us we likely have made, based upon our diligent Lenten discipline. If we believe we've made progress, then we should understand that such progress remains "there for us." We can and should turn to God, thank Him for the graces He has bestowed upon us during Lent.
After that, we can and should continue to lead a disciplined spiritual life. Rather than throw our special acts of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to the four winds. let's recollect ourselves and keep up the good work we began so many weeks ago.
We can and should make a special effort to pray more frequently and in a more recollected fashion. At work, our first line of prayer during a busy day could be simple aspirations. Simple as in: "My Jesus, I love You" - "Help me, Lord"...You can easily make your own aspirations. Choose those that most suit your character and personality. No need for formalism here
We can and should mortify ourselves. Maybe these will not be as intense or as frequent as those we practiced during Lent. But we can still, for example, delay our eating lunch, after saying grace. If we delayed 3 minutes during Lent, maybe it's 2 minutes now. If we decided to keep custody of our eyes more stringently, then we continue this now: No need to let up. (In fact, don't let up. You'll just be asking for trouble.)
We can and should continue with our almsgiving. This includes generosity with our material goods - helping those who need our help - and with ourselves - being charitable towards others. In this C-virus world of ours, we might find reasons to refocus here: Maybe we've got a family member out of work. Can we lend a hand with our material wealth? What about our interactions with co-workers via email, Zoom, or whatever other digital format being used by your company? Are you taking the time to express your thoughts clearly and fully? Are you being meticulously charitable if someone sends you a message that's a bit short or abrupt?
God has surely rewarded our Lenten discipline. Build on the progress He has permitted.
Just as we need to step up our game at work to manage our business during this economic crisis, so too let's step up our spiritual game during this blessed Easter Season. More on this next time...
Happy Easter!
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