What Consumes You?

My husband and I were recalling this week that when we were kids, the most tangible thing we could understand about Lent involved giving up candy. 

Not yet mature in the deeper meaning of Lent, candy (or chips, pop, etc.) is the most immediate act of self-discipline any young child can comprehend.

This practice can still work because food is a staple so many of us are attached to, but, if we expand our thinking and consider what might be better for us as adults, we may find greater beauty in our experience of Lent.

For instance, as I approach Lent this year, I want to focus my "giving up" on something that will help me move closer to God and others. 

What can I spend less time on, or turn away from, in order to dedicate more time or energy on my family or my spiritual life? 

If desserts or chips (or coffee or whatever) will not accomplish this, maybe I need to choose a different self-discipline. Maybe I need to pray more (or differently), or go to Mass an extra day during the week, or work on my patience, self-absorption, anger, generosity or pride.

I don't know, it's different for everyone. 

Fr. Dave Howell wrote in the bulletin of St. Mark's in Goodrich, Michigan, some clarifying words that you may find helpful.

In part, he wrote:

"Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are the three hinges of the door to holiness because it takes all three to enter the holiness of God."

"When a Christian does some sort of penance, they make holy whatever he or she has given up, by giving it to God or for God . . . Fasting means giving something up that I give to God. It may be food or drink; or it may be time or effort. It may be giving up something negative in my life to become a more positive, better person. But whatever I give up, also needs to be given away. That is what almsgiving is all about."

He continues;

"Perhaps the most important part of a sacrifice is that another person should benefit from whatever I have given up. If I give up some food or drink, the money saved should be given to help another. If I give up something like time spent on electronics, that time needs to be given to another or spent in prayer. The third aspect of Lent is prayer which is meant to deepen a relationship with God."

If you give up that online game that consumes too many hours of your day, or the time you spend scrolling reels, watching television, obsessing on ebay, or even stopping at the bar, who might you give that extra time to?

I hope whatever you decide to do this Lent, that you will be transformed and become the person God calls you to be.

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

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