The Pitfalls of Lent

Details: 18 March 2011

I heard someone once say, "A little self denial never hurt anyone." Not only is this true, if done with the right intention, it is a tremendous help in growing closer to God. If done with the wrong intention, it is a hindrance in growing closer to God.

We are told in Paschales Solemnitatis number 6 proclaimed by the Congregation for Divine Worship that "The annual Lenten season is the fitting time to climb the holy mountain of Easter." We know in climbing any mountain, we need places to put the pegs in which ropes are attached that help us climb to the top. On Ash Wednesday we learned from the gospel that the three pegs to help us climb to the mountain of Easter are prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

I imagine any seasoned mountain climber will say that the placement and manner in which pegs are placed are everything in ensuring a safe assent. The same can be said with the practice of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

During the time of the prophet Isaiah the Lord God said, "What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? … I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts … Bring no more vain offerings … Remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow … Is this not the fast that I choose … share your bread with the hungry … bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked … cover him?" (Is 1:11-17; 58:6-7). In other words, the motivation for prayer, fasting and almsgiving should be love and nothing else.

Jesus himself said, when we pray, fast and give to the poor (almsgiving) we should not do so to be noticed by others but to do so for the love of God in secret, and in doing so we will be rewarded by our Heavenly Father who sees in secret (Mt 6:1-18). As for helping the poor for the right reasons, St. Leo the Great said, "There is no more profitable practice as a companion to holy and spiritual fasting than that of almsgiving."

Since my first day as director of Catholic Social Services, I have met many of the faithful of southern Nebraska who donate to Catholic Social Services in order to help needy individuals and families across the diocese. Without exception money and material goods are given out of love for Jesus who lives in the poor and needy (Mt 25:31-46), and for this I am greatly edified and thankful. Most of the people and families that receive help feel the love of our benefactors which is a reflection of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on fire for love of us.

As this Lent unfolds, please know we are deeply appreciative of your prayers, fasting for others and your almsgiving in the form of material donations of items around the house not needed including food, and your cash donations according to your means to Catholic Social Services. Please know that we at Catholic Social Services will likewise remember you in our prayers, fasting and other sacrifices during this holy season of Lent. May you have a holy assent to the mountain of Easter!