One of the best times
of the whole year is Lent. But one of
the best things about this weekend is that it is not Lent. Does this ambivalence baffle you? Does it seem like unconvincing doubletalk as
you quiver at the prospect of committing yourself to doing without something,
maybe several things, for an intimidatingly long period of time? Hardly; for there is balance in the array of
graces God gives us. For everything there is a season, and a time
for every matter under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1) says Qoheleth (“the
Preacher”); and Lent is a season that we all need.
But really, if you
are over seven years old, don’t settle for the cartoon notion of Lent: “This year I am giving up (insert one: a) chocolate; b) dessert; c)
beer; d) other food product).”
Remember: Lent is not a diet. Lent will leave you leaner, but that’s a side
effect, not the goal. Devise your
discipline according to these principles, and you will have many reasons to be
grateful.
Seek
the silence. Our days are filled with so much noise --
visual, mental, and social, as well as audio.
All of it, all of it, misshapes our relationships and
understanding. So this Lent, turn it off: the radio in the car, the television in the
home, the web-browser on the screen. Sure,
make specific exceptions for yourself: except
when I need to check the traffic and weather together on the eights; except for
Downton Abbey (or March Madness); except for ordering Mom’s birthday present
online. But get rid of the noise
that becomes constant; the default distraction of hypnotizing visuals; the
aimless poking about the web for useless information and harmful stimulation. Be
still, and know that I am God.
(Psalm 46:10)
Seek
the other. Do not reduce Lent to your personal goal,
where you are the principal beneficiary of your new self-control (in
your waistline, your budget, or your productivity); make sure you offer
something to someone else. “Giving alms”
is indispensable to a good Lent; that includes but is not limited to giving
money and other gifts to the poor. It
also means giving time to the lonely, attention to the ignored, and love to the
one we have so much trouble loving. Remember, too, what a gift it is to ask
someone to help you. Life is not solitary; neither is our struggle against sin. So your Lent should be not private, but personal; and therefore interpersonal. Seek also the One who desires your company in
prayer. Let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and
favor, and to find help in time of need.
(Heb 4:16)
Seek
the cross. Jesus Christ is never more fully revealed as
God than in His death on the cross. If
you would share that divinity, that holiness, share too his cross. Lay
down something that you cannot picture yourself living without. Give something you think you cannot
afford. Take up something you think you
cannot carry. Then look at your
crucifix, each day. The real sacrifice
of the cross is available at Mass, so go there not only at the usual times, but
also some additional time, i.e., every Wednesday near your office, or every
Thursday after you drop off the kids.
If there is some pain
or privation in your life not by your own choosing, then Lent gives you
something to do with it. Your illness, your
embarrassment or failure; your pain, your mistreatment by a false friend; your devaluation
at work. Embrace it as your Lenten
cross, what you and Jesus are doing together this Lent.
So, yes, eat less. Wear your ashes until they rub away. Eat fewer sweets and fewer treats. Go to Stations of the Cross on meatless Fridays,
and write bigger checks to help folks who need.
Talk less, and pray more. But
that is just the background; this year, take it higher.
Take it seriously,
and Lent will be one of the best times of your whole year. But until Ash Wednesday gets here, have
seconds and dessert. Play some music and see a movie. Go out together, or invite someone over. Make for a little Samedi+Dimanche+Lundi+Mardi
Gras right here in Silver Spring. Because
it’s not Lent yet, and that’s good too.
Monsignor Smith