Lenten Sacrifice
25/02/09 20:14 Filed in: Catholic
Church
De Mello writes in the way to love that those things
which delight us and grip our souls can lead us to
God. What does that have to do with Lent?
Lent is about sacrifice, but it isn't about just any old sacrifice. Giving up coca-cola or candy is sacrifice, but the question is why ought one to sacrifice them? It's not because they are necessary for life. Nor are they necessary for living well. We sacrifice such sweets becuase, in the end, they aren't good for us, and they lead us toward evil, not towards good.
Lenten sacrifice is about giving up those things which drag our souls down. It is an opportunity to recommit ourselves to life. That is why itis just as valid -- perhaps more so -- to commit one's self to something rather than denying one's self something. Several years ago, I committed myself to writing for one hour a night, at least 500 words. I want to be a writer. I want to express myself, but I was approaching this goal in an ad hoc fashion. I let inspiration drive me. But ay Bradbury points out that inspiration doesn't come if it doesn't know where you're at. You have to sit yourself in the seat everyday at the same time, so the muse knows where to find you. So I committed myself. In the end, this meant I sacrificed something -- television. But had I given up television, I would have gone back to it after lent. Committing myself to writing helped me stay away from television after lent and helped me follow a path that brings me peace and love -- which in the end is God.
This year, I am committing myself to writing 500 words of philosophy per day. I am also committing myself to spening more time with my eight year old. In the end, this will require sacrifice, but it will also require growth. Christ's resurrection is about growth, more than about death.
Lent is about sacrifice, but it isn't about just any old sacrifice. Giving up coca-cola or candy is sacrifice, but the question is why ought one to sacrifice them? It's not because they are necessary for life. Nor are they necessary for living well. We sacrifice such sweets becuase, in the end, they aren't good for us, and they lead us toward evil, not towards good.
Lenten sacrifice is about giving up those things which drag our souls down. It is an opportunity to recommit ourselves to life. That is why itis just as valid -- perhaps more so -- to commit one's self to something rather than denying one's self something. Several years ago, I committed myself to writing for one hour a night, at least 500 words. I want to be a writer. I want to express myself, but I was approaching this goal in an ad hoc fashion. I let inspiration drive me. But ay Bradbury points out that inspiration doesn't come if it doesn't know where you're at. You have to sit yourself in the seat everyday at the same time, so the muse knows where to find you. So I committed myself. In the end, this meant I sacrificed something -- television. But had I given up television, I would have gone back to it after lent. Committing myself to writing helped me stay away from television after lent and helped me follow a path that brings me peace and love -- which in the end is God.
This year, I am committing myself to writing 500 words of philosophy per day. I am also committing myself to spening more time with my eight year old. In the end, this will require sacrifice, but it will also require growth. Christ's resurrection is about growth, more than about death.