|
Many of you who were in the armed services might remember that in boot camp you were at the mercy of the drill instructor, who tore you down and built you up again his way. This was a plan of action because the armed services was a melting pot of American citizens from all levels of income, education, race, creed. That meant the routine had to be kept simple. As a matter of fact, there was an acronym which was placed on the wall of the bunkhouse to remind everyone to keep it simple. Remember?? K I S S, KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID! The rule of keeping things simple will achieve success in reaching the goal most every time. When we begin a journey, we plan it to make sure that it is direct to the destination, not in a zig-zag. A straight line is the shortest route between two points. Keep it very simple. Following directions on the package of biscuit mix will be a lot simpler than experimenting with your own recipe of water, flour, salt and baking time. AS WE BEGIN OUR LENTEN JOURNEY WE ARE CALLED TO MAKE IT WITH SIMPLICITY, IF WE ARE TO MAKE IT SUCCESSFULLY. The forty days before Easter is a time for us to also fast from the outer world.In an agricultural society, Lent is the time of year when the winter stores are dwindling and it becomes necessary to tighten one’s belt until the food stores can be renewed in the spring. It represents a period of self-examination, rest and contemplation of our thoughts prior to the arrival of spring. In our self-examination, it is a time to work on overcoming our weaknesses, rather than a time to mourn over our past errors – a time to die to the old in preparation for the renewal. Our vestments are a mournful color, violet; the mood of our liturgy is kept low key, omitting the Gloria and Alleluia’s. The season of Lent extends from Ash Wednesday through Wednesday of Holy Week; Holy Thursday begins the Easter Triduum. The word “Lent†comes from a German word meaning “spring.†The first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday, is 40 days before Easter Sunday. The number forty has much significance in relation to the story of Jesus and the preparation of Lent. According to scripture and tradition, Jesus was forty days in the desert and forty hours in the tomb in spring. We have heard in the gospels leading up to Lent that the Kingdom of God is here and now, repent and believe in the gospel, to forgive and judge not and do well to your enemy, and to “Come, follow Me.†This week’s gospel invites us to follow Christ into the desert. The desert for the Israelites was a place of testing, encountering God and renewal for purification to enter the Promised Land. The desert is a simple place made up of mostly sky and sand with very few distractions. We encounter the same scenery, the same sky mile after square mile. Why are we called to follow Jesus into the desert? Just for that reason. That we may simplify our lives with few distractions. Even though the desert is a simple place, it still has good and evil elements, such as beasts, no food, harsh living conditions, little or no water. Like Christ was, we too can expect to be tempted by the evil one when we follow Him into the desert. Our journey to heaven began at our baptism. At baptism we promised through our baptismal vows never to sin again. We said that we would reject Satan and all of his evil and empty promises. We received the Holy Spirit and the laws of God were written in our hearts. We were given gifts of the Holy Spirit to help us get through the temptations of this world as we traveled in the desert. The desert is also a place for purification, self discipline, solitude and turning inward to find your true self. Simply put, the season of Lent is like that journey through the desert. 1. We fast. Fasting is restricting eating to one full meal and two lighter meals in the course of a single day, and prohibits eating between meals. Adults who have not yet reached their sixtieth year are bound by Canon Law to fast. Pregnant women and people who are ill are not obligated to fast. Our FAST IS NOT JUST LIMITED TO FOOD AND DRINK, BUT TO OTHER THINGS SUCH AS LESS TV, FEWER MOVIES, LESS WASTING TIME, ETC . 2. We abstain. Abstinence is refraining from eating meat. People who have completed their fourteenth year are bound by Canon Law to abstain on the days designated by the church. Anyone who feels that they cannot fulfill the law of abstinence or the law of fasting should consult a parish priest or confessor. IT IS IN DENYING OURSELVES, FROM THOSE THINGS OF THIS WORLD THAT SATISFY US, THAT CONDITIONS OUR WILL TO CONTROL OUR THOUGHTS, WORDS AND ACTIONS. We condition ourselves in a way of self control so THAT THE PLEASURES OF THIS WORLD DO NOT CONTROL US TO THE POINT WHERE WE MAKE THEM OUR PRIORITY, OUR GOD, BE IT A PERSON, PLACE OR THING. WE SHOW GOD WHO IS THE CENTER OF OUR LIVES WHEN WE DENY OURSELVES FOR GOD. 3. We are called to PRAYER during Lent that we might give God our undivided attention and develop our relationship, so that God can speak to us. In the desert there are fewer distractions. We spend more time talking and listening to God. At Mass, in adoration, in participating in the Way of the Cross we encounter God one-on-one. 4. We are called to WORKS OF CHARITY AND ALMSGIVING to demonstrate that we truly believe in the gospel and are following the way of Christ, extending forgiveness, compassion and goodness to all we meet. JESUS PREPARED HIMSELF IN THE DESERT FOR HIS MISSION. WE TOO, AS FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST, ARE TO PREPARE OURSELVES FOR OUR MISSION AS CATHOLICS AND CHRISTIANS in our Lenten desert experience. These simple and time-tested spiritual practices allow us to open our hearts to God’s will and to overcome the temptation of Satan and of the world. Each of us needs to have a simple plan of action for these sacred forty days, individually tailored to address those areas in our personal life that have the most need of transformation. Parents and grandparents have a tremendous responsibility in this respect, not only by setting a good example, but also by encouraging and suggesting ways that their children and grandchildren can open themselves to the Christian journey, imitating the life of Christ by sacrifice and self-denial. How can we overcome sin and oppression in our personal lives? Just as our Lord Jesus was given the Holy Spirit during his time of temptation God also gives us the Holy Spirit to be our strength, guide and consoler in temptation and testing. The Lord Jesus is ever ready to pour out his Spirit upon us that we may have the strength and courage to resist sin and to reject the lies and deceits of our enemy, Satan. God wants was to “fight the good fight of faith†(1 Tim.6:12) with the power and strength which comes from the Holy Spirit. Do you rely on the Lord for your strength and help? We can also overcome weakness and temptation through nourishment. THE EUCHARIST IS SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT. We can try to INCREASE our Mass attendance by ONE OR TWO DAYS A WEEK and RECEIVE THE EUCHARIST. We can also, during our Lenten journey, MAKE A GOOD CONFESSION. Begin now to master your will, bit-by-bit, for the glory of God. With a fresh spiritual focus, you will be able to use each of the forty-days of Lent to grow spiritually according to the mind of Christ and the Church. Make your spiritual “promise†today! Whatever holds you bound, allow Christ to free you in the self-denial of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. REMEMBER – “K I S Sâ€. KEEP IT SIMPLE, SAINTS!
|
