In Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Franics reminded us that “Being a Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.”
Too often, I have approached my faith and spiritual life in a very intellectual manner, seeking to put reason, logic and meaning to what I believe in. Faith is first and foremost an encounter with God, an momentous event that gives my life a new horizon, a decisive direction and brings me up to a higher level of existence. It is not about meaning but about presence. It is not about reason but simply being. But here I go again – intellectualizing.
Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. I will not try to intellectualize and rationalize but just feel and do the long-held practices of the Church during this period. I will seriously do my prayers, fasting and almsgiving and in the process just feel and relish the Divine Presence in my life.
I will fast regularly to feel the deprivation of my senses and deaden them against the inordinate desires of my flesh. I will starve myself of food to rid my body of its gluttony, selfishness, lust, anger, envy and pride. I will deny myself of those things that give me great physical pleasure I may awaken in me a deeper longing for things spiritual.
I will focus on giving up instead of taking. I will give up the blandishments the world seduces me with and I will give my time, talent and treasure and put these in the service of the other. I will shift my mind set from “What is in it for me?” to “How can I be of service to you?” I will do my almsgiving anonymously.
I will prayer longer and more often so that I will feel God’s presence more deeply in my life and how I am totally dependent on Him and His boundless mercy. I will deny the devil any space in my life. I will offer and dedicate my life to God alone.
“Lord, gather me together during this Lenten period. Make me whole and holy as I celebrate your Presence in my life.”
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
When you pray, go to your inner room,
close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
When you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
Matthew 6: 1-6,16-18