Today's readings are, I think,
very relevant for the beginning of Lent. I especially had in mind emulators of St. Francis of Asissi and other charismatic Christians when I heard this reading. Of course, I examined myself, too, and it made me think.
Lent is a time of preparation to renew our baptismal vows. I know that for me, Ash Wednesday is a real test of my faith. I have fasted many times before, even voluntarily, but something about Ash Wednesday every year, I realize that my faith is not necessarily going to be easy. I have been especially focused on the martyrs lately and it just made me realize... I could be faced withe choice to suffer greatly.
I was in the city today and I wanted so badly to buy food as I walked through the city and try different delectables. But it is Ash Wednesday. The Church decreed that Catholics must fast on Ash Wednesday. And I didn't wanna. But I did anyway -- and this was not even that big of a sacrafice really. I was just choosing to not eat between meals.
So if that speaks to you this year, reflect on it a bit. There are Christians who were flayed alive, dipped in oil, cut in pieces -- and they could have averted their torture easily but did not. I hope I could be that strong, but I certainly do not want to be flayed alive.
But that is not what today's Gospel got me thinking about.
"Beware of practicing
your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will
have no reward from your Father who is in heaven."
I have found -- maybe you have experienced this -- that some people brag about their Lenten sacrifices or just go around like it is a status symbol. St. Francis said, "Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary use words." This is very good advice, but I feel like we can throw it out the window when it comes to Lenten sacrifices. We'd run the risk of approaching Lent the wrong way. My goal is to discourage the idea that Lenten sacrifices are about showing the world something.
Because ultimately, the point of Lenten sacrifices is to prepare ourselves and our world for Christ's Passion, Death, and Resurrection. It is not about telling ourselves and everyone around us that, "IT IS LENT." It is more important to get to the root of our sins and the root of what distracts us from Christ.
A priest at Mass today told us, "I don't care about how many times you did it. I care about why you did it. What is the source? That's what you need to repent."
During Lent, you can give up chocolate or Facebook if you want to and if it would be effective for your spiritual life in some way (which I am sure it would be). But more importantly, maybe you should focus on your sins, on reevaluating your spiritual life and your relationship with God.
We do not "disfigure our faces" but we sometimes get caught up in the thrill of Lent, if you could call it that. "Argh! I can't eat that!" or "Aw man, I gave that up but I want it so bad!" What kind of sacifice is it if you complain about it and boast to your friends? Or if you make a big show of your Holy Hour or your extra Masses and prayer? Are you doing it for the show and the way it will outwardly and superficially effect your life? Or are you doing it to become holier and prepare to be more properly receptive to the fullness of the Triduum?
I don't know if I am getting my point across.
If you are amongst other Christians or Catholics especially, it is tempting to make Lent a thing of show. And yes, of course, your faith shouldn't be a private, hidden activity; but your faith should not become visible during Lent. It should be becoming real. If it is real, it will come through on its own.
"So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
Light the light and let it shine. Don't let your spiritual life be recognized for your sacifices but for your love and joy:
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
"The prospect of the righteous is joy."
