Tomorrow will begin my seventeenth Lent, and, believe it or not, I have kept records on the observances I have tried to keep, and whether or not they were a material or spiritual success. By material success I mean whether or not I kept the observance, and by spiritual success whether or not it turned out to have any spiritual utility. I have experienced all four possible permutations of success and failure. So, based on my experience as a practitioner of Lent, here are my maxims on discerning a personal observance for this "joyful season."
1. The classic models of fasting, praying, and giving alms are the best starting point. Concentrate on one or do something for each.
2. Make it too challenging and be set up for failure; make it too easy and lose interest.
3. All spiritual practices can be misused to focus on self rather than God. Be careful.
4. "Giving up" something that is already objectively sinful doesn't count; ascetical effort at reorganizing our lives to eliminate occasions of sin does.
5. Spiritual practice and prayerful ascesis that also serves physical health is nothing to be ashamed of.
6. Everyone knows that Sundays don't count, but don't make the Sunday relaxation an occasion of backsliding.
7. Doing something is easier than not doing something.
8. Doing something for others is more blessed than doing something for yourself. But if you habitually fail at spiritual self-care, this principle isn't an excuse to continue.
9. Pelagianism is a heresy, but the idea of it is not an excuse for laziness.
10. The engineering principle known as the "airplane rule" is useful here: complexity increases the rate of failure. Conversely, simplicity increases robustness.
11. Secret practices are better than ones that will obvious to everyone. Secret saves us from both pride in success and embarrassment in failure.
12. Succeeding in observing a practice does not mean it was a spiritual success, and failing does not necessarily mean spiritual failure. Successes used poorly can be spiritually ruinous, and failures used well can be providential occasions for learning humility and honesty.
13. Concrete is better than vague.
14. This is not about our doing or accomplishing something, as if salvation were another thing for us to "do" or "get." It is about surrendering and responding to grace. As Paul says, "God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work." (Philippians 2:13)
6 comments:
I usually do a few things for Lent. One of the traditional lenten practices I've developed I've already begun. I really enjoy making beer, and the fermentation and aging process is just a little longer than Lent. So on the 15th, I got together with 3 friends and began the brewing process. Beginging tomorrow, we will abstain all from alcohol for Lent, and then on Easter, we will enjoy some home brew to celebrate the Resurrection and break our fast.
This year we are brewing "Resurection Red", a copper colored red ale, which will hopefully have a few floral overtones.
Of course there are some other things I will do, but I really enjoy this particular practice of giving something up for Lent with some of my friends.
Excellent! Mmm...Resurrection Red
thank you, Fr. C, for sharing the observances you have kept. that's great that you've kept a record of it. i've never kept track of my Lenten observances. i just know some of what i've failed or suceeded at. your list is a great help - it will certainly help me with my observances this year! thank you so much! PEACE!
~tara t~
thank you so much for this ... a perfect link i have added to my blog post today!
hi again, Fr. C! i just wanted to say more about your list. i agree with #1 on your list that "prayer, fasting & almsgiving" is very important and an excellent "starting point," as you put it. i'm really glad that you posted your list of observances because this will really help me and others, too, focus and observe Lent in a prayerful and spiritual way. the things we do and the things we give up should be done to bring us closer to God and each other. (i know that "Sundays" don't count in Lent, but for me, i keep the same observances on the Sundays of Lent to avoid the occasion of backsliding.) i feel that because Sunday is the Lord's day then it is all the more reason to follow observances. and, you're right, we shouldn't make it too complex, simplicity is best. thanks again, Fr. C! see you soon!PEACE! ~tara t~
This year, no chocolate ( a sacrifice) and daily rosary (positive spiritual practice).
Good points, by the way.
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