It used bewilder me to hear, in the preface
of the Mass, Lent described as “this joyful season".
What could be joyful about making sacrifices: denying yourself
the little comforts of life; dragging yourself out of bed to
go to early Mass before work or school; taking time out to read
or pray. Meaningful? Maybe. Joyful? No way! Never!
Never, that is, until the light dawns! And the light is the
light of experience. As in so many matters, it depends on your
attitude. Make your sacrifices reluctantly, and they stay painful.
Embrace them, and it's a totally different story. Truly, the
experience belies the expectation.
You'd forgotten how nice it could be to be out in the early
morning air. Stop watching TV, and you're amazed to find what
little you miss of any importance, and how much time you now
have for more constructive and fulfilling things. Give up alcohol,
cigarettes, or some of your favourite luxury (junk!?) foodstuffs,
and after six weeks of Lent you're surprised how much better,
physically, you feel, and how much sharper and clearer your mind
is. Spend a little time in prayer and reflection, on a daily
basis, and your spirit first quietens, then strengthens; and
that's a good way to have it in to-day's demanding, and often
threatening, world.
Many people are suspicious of any penance
that has a very human ulterior motive. Like going on a diet
in order to lose weight
and/or look better, rather than to offer sacrifice to God! I'm
convinced that both motives can go hand in hand. A little mixing
of the two can help to promote both, and that has to be a good
thing. After all, in the famed words of St. Irenaeus, "the
glory of God is the human person fully alive".
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