Lenten Practices III - Fasting & Abstinence (8th Sunday per annum/Quinquagesima Sunday)

Before the industrialization of education, the main means of learning was by finding a master who would teach you. Most masters or teachers in history did not have massive classes with multiple subjects but had a core group whom they instructed in those subjects they knew by heart: whether martial arts or philosophy or religion. The student would spend years with the teacher, going through the various exercises and rigors necessary, until he was acknowledged as an equal by the master. This is not just something that happened long ago with the knights or the samurai or whatever group you may think of; it still happens and must happen now for all who follow Christ the divine Master.

We must not regard Jesus as some historical figure who has some wisdom to hand down to us through the ages. Rather, Jesus is the divine Master really alive and still teaching us how to live our lives, and what our priority should be. Jesus teaches us not merely by His words but by the supreme example He gives in His earthly life, demonstrating His teachings so that we can follow and be equal to Him. He is the good tree which produces much fruit, and we must be grafted on to Him if we are to be good as well.

What is the greatest example which our Master or our Teacher gives to us? He shows us how and why to suffer. If the latest news about the war in the Ukraine should awaken us to anything, it is that suffering is not so far away from us who live in the comforts of the modern world. If anything, we are increasing that suffering or switching it from the merely physical to the psychological or spiritual, which can have a far deeper impact and hurt worse than anything physical. God the Son opens Himself up to this suffering by taking on our flesh, by becoming Jesus, by joining us in this valley of tears. He teaches us that we must suffer well if we are to share in His victory over sin, over Satan, and over death. Only through suffering may we become capable of bearing good fruit.

But how can we suffer well? We do it first by embracing the sufferings that come our way in our daily lives. We do not have to go far to experience this, even if we may not be suffering physically like so many in the war-torn or impoverished places of the world. We will suffer because we are hated by people who hate Christ or His Church; we will suffer from the sins of others; we will suffer even from our own sins. It is in the acceptance of these sufferings that we will begin to see the beam removed from our eye so that we may begin to be capable of pulling the splinter from our brother’s eye.

Yet we must follow the divine Master’s example by not only accepting the sufferings that come to us just as the Cross came to Him. We must also embrace some sufferings of our own. We will hear in next week’s Gospel the account of the journey of Jesus in the desert for 40 days and nights. In that time, He willingly fasted and prayed. Not only that, but Jesus often accepted additional fasts or times of prayer and penance. How can we say we are above the Master when He willingly fasted so much or prayed so often and we do not do the same?

Our age is an age of comfort and luxury, far more than any other age before it. Our country has one of the highest rates of obesity and sickness from obesity in the entire world, and it does not affect merely the rich. Even with the sharp rates of inflation in the past few months, we can still find food all too easily and cheaply. If there is great danger of damaging our bodies from all this excess, is it not so surprising that our souls would be just as damaged in our gluttony? When our stomachs are too full, our hearts are too congested to rise up to God in prayer and thanksgiving.

This is why the Church calls us to fast in the holy season of Lent. Beginning with our mandatory fast and abstinence this Wednesday, we are meant to join ourselves in voluntary suffering with Christ in order to follow the teachings and example of our good Master. We are required as Catholics to fast from food on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, along with abstaining from meat on every Friday of Lent. This is the minimum we are mandated to do, but we should willing do more than that. If Jesus gave everything on the Cross for us, then we can give up some more food beyond those two days. If the Master suffered so much in being scourged and whipped and cursed at and crucified, then we too can suffer in giving up meat on more days than Fridays.

“From the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaks,” says the Lord. He also says, “By their fruits, you will know them.” Shall we embrace the path of the Master and accept the sufferings of Lent in union with Him, or shall we grumble that we must do so little? Shall we open our hearts to be transformed not just by fasting but also prayer and almsgiving so as to become the good trees producing good fruit, or shall we remain the rotten tree that remains fruitless and only worth being thrown into the fire? May the divine Master help us to remove the beam of sin from our eyes so that we may see and follow His holy example, not just through this Lent, but through the Lent of life, so that we may be worthy of joining Him in that eternal Easter where suffering shall be no more, and where we shall celebrate the victory of Christ over death, knowing that our labor here below was not in vain.

BONUS: BULLETIN ARTICLE

FROM THE PASTOR – FASTING & ABSTINENCE

   This coming week sees the start of Lent with Ash Wednesday. “Again we keep this solemn fast,” as the famous hymn begins. We begin this solemn season with the usual fasting and abstinence (see the table below). Yet this is not the only way that we can fast or abstain in this penitential time. Here are some other ideas to help you more properly observe this season.

· ADDITIONAL DAYS—Besides the mandated days of fasting and abstinence (see below), we ought to willing practice these acts on other days. The traditional days of penance are Wednesdays and Fridays. We could do more fasting on those days or more abstinence.

· SWEETS—While this has been the classic example done by children, we can and should seriously abstain from sweets in Lent. The intentional self-denial of that which is pleasing to us reminds us that our true sweetness and joy are found in God and not in the things of this life. Not only ought we to give up sweets, but we should even be willing to take on some more bitter or less pleasing foods, or not use as many spices or condiments to make something tasteful to our tongue.

· ENTERTAINMENT—We should abstain from the multitude of media which entertains us, and give that time instead to growing closer to God. Instead of the TV or the computer or the devices, spend that time in prayer or sacred reading, or go out and do some act of almsgiving.

· MATERIAL GOODS—This is the time of year for spring cleaning. We should clean out our closets not merely with the mindset of what haven’t I worn or used in a while, but whether I can get along without this thing. Let’s be honest: most of us have more than we need, and we can afford to give to others.

   This is the time to grow in God and to become holy. Let us take up the practices of prayer, almsgiving, and fasting to increase in the Lord. Let us not merely complete the minimum but strive to become all we can be, so that our earthly Lent may prepare us for the eternal Easter.

  

Lenten Practices II - Almsgiving (7th Sunday per annum/Sexagesima Sunday)

The complete message of the Gospel is founded on one primary principle: the principle of love. Everything proceeds from this love because God is love. The teachings of Jesus can be reduced to love, and we see that in the two great commandments He gives us: love of God and love of neighbor. But how do we love? Jesus teaches us this in today’s Gospel passage by reminding us that we are to love everyone.

It is very easy for us to love those around us who please us. But we are not only called to love them, but to love all of our neighbors. Jesus begins His instructions by commanding love of enemies. Yes, we must love our enemies. We must not hold ourselves back from loving just because they do not please us or we do not like them. To love is not the same thing as to like: to love is an action which must come from our whole being. How can we love our enemies? We do it just as God does, for God loves all of His enemies, all of those who go against His will; in other words, God loves all of us.

The great sign of the love of God is the sign of the Cross. Jesus gives everything He has for love of us even as we demand He be crucified and reject Him to embrace sin. But His love is so immense as to destroy the earthly man of sin and recreate us to love as we were meant to love. We must grow in the practice of this love especially in the upcoming season of Lent. Lent is the sacred time dedicated to acknowledging our sins and growing in God, and we must grow in love as well. We grow in the practice of love through the Lenten practice of almsgiving.

To give alms is not to give and expect repayment or to give and receive a favor in return; to give alms is to give without any consideration for a return except perhaps the eternal reward God desires for us. We are called to share ourselves with our neighbor not just in thoughts or words but in real actions. We not only give to the Church or to the poor, we also give to our enemies. We not only give cash but we give our sweat and blood and tears. We not only give what we have but even go beyond that to give when it hurts. This is the real demonstration of love, because love is not easy.

As we prepare for the holy season of Lent, each one of us must ask: How do I love as Jesus commands me to love? How do I love God more? Do I actually love my neighbor, whoever he may be? All of us are meant to be witnesses of God’s love to the world, to a world that increases in hatred and division and animosity. We cannot wait for someone else to do it; we must be the hands of God that give and show His love to all. If we only love when it is easy, why should we expect anything from the Lord who loved us unto death?

Let us pray, brethren, for an increase in love within us. Let us pray to see Christ in our neighbor and to love Him in them. Let us grow in love during Lent so that we may be the true children of the Father who is compassionate and merciful towards all. Let us draw others to God by our acts of love so that they may also be transformed from earthly children of sin to spiritual sons of God. Let us love in the example of love we see from Christ on the Cross, so that we may be able to enter into the fullness of love that awaits the true lovers of God in eternal life.

BONUS: BULLETIN ARTICLE

FROM THE PASTOR—PRACTICING ALMSGIVING 

   Continuing our preparation for Lent, we see how it is we ought to practice almsgiving. It is one thing to talk about giving of ourselves, but another to know how it is we can do it. What first comes to mind is, “Where can I give my money?” Yet we should remember that we can and must give more than cash in giving alms. The worn-out phrase “time, talent, and treasure” does have an echo of truth within it. Here are some ways we can offer alms not just in Lent but throughout the entire year.

· OUR PARISH—Charity begins at home. The only way any parish church stays open is by the charity of the people who live there and come to its help. The numerous ways that you all have helped out throughout the years are greatly appreciated, as will be your continued help in whatever way you can give.

· ST. VINCENT DE PAUL—The Society of St. Vincent de Paul works to help the poor and unfortunate who are in need not merely around the world, but in our own back yard. Our parish helps the Saint Cecilia chapter, but we can help the entire diocesan conference in its work of sharing the love of Christ to all. You can see what opportunities are available at svdpnky.org or calling (859)341-1212.

· CATHOLIC CHARITIES—The diocese operates a chapter of Catholic Charities which is involved in a variety of works: from homeless outreach (including Parish Kitchen which offers meals) to child & family services to housing services. See how you can help on their website at covingtoncharities.org or call (859)581-8974

· AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED—We should not only help out in our local area but also as much as we can around the world. The organization Aid to the Church in Need provides a means of supporting various projects throughout the world: from giving Mass stipends to foreign priests as their primary source of income to funding a variety of projects for religious orders or dioceses in need. You can see for yourself what they do and how you can help at churchinneed.org.

   Above all, we must not forget the neighbor before us. Do we pray for those who we meet? Are we willing to give when someone asks, even if they seem sketchy? Do I foster charity in all my actions? The ultimate purpose of almsgiving is not self-promotion or self-aggrandizement, but for the increase in charity within us. Let us pray about how we can give of ourselves just as Christ gave Himself completely on the Cross for our salvation, then let us give without counting the cost, hopeful that our reward will be great in eternal life.

  

Lenten Practices I - Prayer (6th Sun per annum/Septuagesima Sunday)

There is a bit of a religious revival in our area today, with all the excitement over the Super Bowl. People all over will be hoping for a win for the local team, yet there is nothing they can do to help make that happen. It seems rather frivolous to beseech God for such a thing: what is a team’s victory in comparison to so many other things happening in our lives and around us? Yet this moment of excitement and anticipation is a good reminder to us of the two things today’s readings prompt in us: trust in the Lord and prayer.

We must remember as Christians that there is nowhere else we can place our trust for anything good or necessary to happen except in the Lord. God is in control of everything, and not in a secondary manner; God is intricately involved in the operation and existence of all things. Nothing exists without His willing it into existence; nothing moves outside of His will; nothing happens beyond His sight. God in His infinite providence, omnipotence, and eternal existence has seen everything happen before the universe even existed. There is no one else in whom we can place our total trust and reliance for all things except in God.

This is what Jesus praises in the Gospel passage in which He enumerates the Beatitudes according to Saint Luke. Only those who are poor will turn to God for their every need; only the hungry will seek the food of God; only those who weep will seek their consolation in the Lord who suffers with them and conquers every enemy; only the persecuted will place their hope in the Lord who triumphs in His resurrection and will have the final revenge on all enemies on the Last Day. Those who do not desire or need these things do not turn to God, they do not seek the Source of all goodness and truth, they do not pray.

We are only a few weeks away from Lent beginning, and joining in the journey of the Lord to Calvary and the tomb. This season is our time to reevaluate our relationship with God, to rectify our sinful lives, and to walk more closely to Christ than before. This walk must begin by placing our total trust in God in all things. If nothing happens outside of His will, if every good and perfect gift comes from the Father, then we must orient our lives towards God and not towards any lower or weaker power or authority. We must hope in God for all things, above all for the graces we need for everlasting life. This hope, this trust, must begin to be expressed in the primary action of the Christian: prayer.

We must pray. There is simply no alternative to prayer for the disciple of Jesus Christ. We are obligated to pray, and to not just pray for ourselves, but to pray for all. Yet we must remember the purpose of prayer is more than just the asking for things. We can and ought to ask, but prayer is far more than that. Prayer is our primary means of communication with God. It is not only a means of speaking to God, but it is also our means of hearing Him. Many will complain that they do not hear God in their lives, but how much time do we give Him to speak to us? How much do we retreat from the noise of the world to pray purposefully before Him? It is not that God doesn’t speak, but that we do not listen.

Prayer is the means whereby we are conformed to God. We adore the living God who loved us into being and loved us enough to die and rise from the dead for us. We praise Him who has done such immense marvels. We beseech Him for all that we require for ourselves, mindful that He is the ultimate source of all things. We ask on behalf of others for what they need, especially to encounter God through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit so that they may enter into the way of salvation. All of this is what God desires for us, but it must begin in prayer.

Our lives must be infused with prayer not just in the church but in the totality of our lives. We not only pray here at Mass but we ought to pray in our work, in our rest, in the fun times, in the sad times, in the ease of life which so many of us have in these days, in the difficulties that will come as we draw nearer to the crucified and risen Lord.  Whether it is short quick prayers offered in a moment or dedicating ourselves to an extended period of prayer, we must pray in a spirit of hope and trust in God. Whether it is for victory in the big game today, whether it is for more serious requests, whether it is in thanksgiving or in sorrow, we must pray. For if we do not pray now, why would we want to spend eternity with the God we avoid encountering through prayer?

Brethren, let us become a people of trust and prayer in all things. Let us hope in the Lord who has won everything for us in His passion, death, and resurrection. Let us be inflamed by the Holy Spirit to pray as we should so that we may become holy, so that we may become like God. Let us ask the saints to help us to pray as they prayed to God and grew closer to Him in their lives so that we may follow after them. Let us pray to live as Jesus calls us to live, not in a spirit of arrogance and disregard for the Lord, but in humility and trust, that we can encounter God through prayer in this life and be prepared to receive the fullest answer to our prayers in eternal life.

BONUS: BULLETIN ARTICLE

FROM THE PASTOR—PRAYERS AND DEVOTIONS

   With only a few weeks remaining until Lent begins, it is time to begin thinking about how we are to observe this sacred season. This Sunday in the traditional liturgical calendar starts the season of Septuagesima: the period of three Sundays and the accompanying days in-between until Ash Wednesday which are a reminder to us that Lent is approaching and gearing us up. While the current liturgy does not have this venerable tradition in it, we should still begin to orient ourselves towards the three Lenten practices of the Church: prayer, almsgiving, and fasting.

   This week, to supplement my homily on prayer, I would like to offer some various ideas to help you grow in your prayer life. While we priests may often preach on prayer, we may not offer many concrete ways for how to do it. Here are some practices that I heartily recommend.

· EUCHARISTIC ADORATION—What better way do we have to pray than to spend time before Jesus really present in the Eucharist? Beyond our reception of the Eucharist at Mass, the Church encourages us to spend time before the Most Blessed Sacrament in true prayer: to adore the Lord who humbles Himself to become our living Bread. I will be organizing some times for formal Eucharistic adoration during Lent, so I encourage you to join me in spending time with the Eucharistic Lord.

· THE ROSARY—One of the greatest tools for devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Rosary is also an opportunity to prayerfully consider the mysteries of our redemption: from the conception and birth of our Savior to His passion, death, and resurrection. Through the Rosary we can pray to and about Jesus through the help of His blessed mother Mary.

· THE BIBLE—The Sacred Scriptures are not a textbook on salvation, but the writings inspired by the Holy Spirit to sanctify us. We should read the Bible in a prayerful manner, not merely seeing the words but praying about what we read. We should not only hear what it says, but adore the God speaking to us through this text and calling us to Himself.

· DAILY DEVOTIONS—We should have a regular routine of prayer in our daily lives. We should wake up and immediately pray to give the day to God. We should pray at meals. We should take time to pray to particular saints who we are close to. It should grow to become as natural as breathing to us to pray throughout the day.

   No matter what, we need to pray. Lent is our opportunity to increase not only our prayer time but to grow better at it. The only real way to grow is to do it. How will you begin to pray this Lent? Let us pray as Jesus commands us to pray so that we may be close to Him in this life and receive the desire of our prayers in being with Him forever in the next life.