Giving, Giving Up, Taking In for Lent

Ash Wednesday is here and because of the internet and various social media I’ve read quite a bit of what one is ‘giving up’ or trying to give up for the forty day period of Lent. I’ve heard of how one priest lets a buddy choose three things for him to give up. Another priest suggested that maybe we try to give up or use our cars less and give the money that is saved on gas to some charity. The added benefit to this ‘giving up’ is to save the non –renewable resource which is at the root of many environmental problems – oil.

Another article I read focused on how comfortable we have gotten as a society. We have been labeled as ‘consumers,’ ‘taxpayers,’ ‘employees,’ and even the church calls us ‘the faithful.’ As we assume each role it is apparent that we are not active players; as a matter of fact most often we take the role of a bench player- many things are dictated to us and we feel that we cannot get into the starting lineup. The suggestion is that Lent should be a time to get uncomfortable and maybe be a good time to answer that invitation to set down that iPad, call a fast on FB or Twitter or Linkedin, and to “head out to the wilderness and get our marching orders” just like Jesus did. 

As I was writing I stopped to go to the Padre Pio web site and take in the midday Mass that is streamed worldwide over the internet. The homily was a beautiful reminder of what this 40 day journey should be. As I listened and watched as the camera panned the beautiful art work and frescos in the new church the message I was getting for this time, when we are asked to focus on FPA (Fast, Prayer and Almsgiving), was one of not giving up but more of taking in. As we read Scripture we should be asking, “What does God want from me?” This is a time to ‘dust ourselves off,’ let today’s ashes remind us of that, and bring out and not give up on what God truly wants us to be. What should come out of us is consideration; a consideration for one another.

As we walk this journey of FPA, Jesus reminds us in today’s Gospel from Matthew 6:1-6.16-18, three separate times not to be like hypocrites. In today’s reflection from Fr. Rohr he talks about how egocentric people use the Bible in a very willful way. They use it to fulfill their need to be right, to be first, and to think that they are saved and others are not. Where is God in that thinking?

As I digest all that I read the past few days, I'm appreciative of all the suggestions and thoughts and ideas, however, I made a decision to focus not so much in what I’m going to give up as in what God is giving (taking His Word in) me which will lead to sharing His gifts with others.

In his Second Letter to the Corinthians, Paul tells us that we can’t dillydally any longer. We receive our ashes as an aid in understanding the urgency for personal renewal. As you dust the ashes off your forehead later today let it be a reminder to dust yourself off and to be more considerate and take the hand of the poor while keeping in mind that we rely on our God for everything.

May you have a Blessed Lenten journey.