Lenten Priorities

Happily, I am three days into Lent without hearing the now-standard homily by some liberal priest on “Lent is about doing good, NOT giving something up!”

Of course Lent is about giving something up. It is about going into the desert with Jesus and joining Him more intensely in the three foundational practices of prayer, alms, and fasting.

The Catholic Lenten urge to fast is irrepressible and seems to be coming back with a vengeance this year. Even my 6-year old, kindergarten granddaughter Brigid is enthused about Lent. One of my freshman classes asked if they could share openly what they are doing for Lent. Most of the class said something and it turns out that everybody is “giving something up” but almost none have planned any extra prayer or almsgiving.

So, the lib priests in their campaign against “giving something up” may actually be on to something: there is an imbalance in priorities. Pope Benedict, as usual, is impeccably precise and balanced in his Lenten exhortation. He highlights fasting but places it in the context of reception of the Word of God in prayer.

The three practices together are essential for the observance of Lent; but there is a sequence of priorities. First and foremost is prayer: time spent with the Word, resting therein, actively receiving and ingesting, being absorbed into the One who feeds us so richly. Second is almsgiving: doing good to others, including the poor and those around us; doing the “good that presents itself;” after which our “wound will be healed.” And last, least, but nevertheless essential, is fasting: voluntary acts of sacrifice. These can be very modest and generally should be lest we bloat our ego with our moralistic accomplishments. I have been getting up a little early in the morning so that my prayer time is not rushed and I find that my day seems to unfold so much more gracefully and smoothly, without excess effort and stress.

The goal of Lent is to deeper our communion with our Lord. Prayer is first and foremost in this journey; it feeds, supports and draws from the other two practices.

After posting these thoughts, I am walking to the chapel for a short visit. I will remember anyone who happens to read this post. (I don’t know who you are, but God does.) And maybe you, reader friend, will say a short prayer for me. Thanks!