Monday, January 14, 2008

LENT CHALLENGE


When we speak to Lent, it is always in the negative. I should like to challenge all to a different perspective. Rather than "giving up", let us "add on" or better, "substitute" a virtue. The ideal would be to substitute a virtue for a behavior you would like to change.

For example: rather than saying "I need a drink" say, "I need to pray". Or rather than indulging in sarcasm, seek to always say kind things and practice discretion. Remember: the tongue that receives our Lord and the temple where our Lord resides is oft-times defiled with our behaviors. Let us start spring cleaning our temples.

St. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 6: 13-20
13
"Food for the stomach and the stomach for food," but God will do away with both the one and the other. The body, however, is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body;
14
God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power.
15
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take Christ's members and make them the members of a prostitute? Of course not!
16
(Or) do you not know that anyone who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For "the two," it says, "will become one flesh."
17
But whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.
18
Avoid immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the immoral person sins against his own body.
19
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
20
For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body.

That's me away then.

3 comments:

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

While we do not practice lent, I do agree with what you have ssid. It should be treated as a joy and not a burden and doing without.

Dawn said...

I agree with what Michelle said.

Lent should be a humbling expiereance for the soul.

If a person is griping and complaining about the thing they have 'given up', then how is that honoring the Lord?

My husband is Catholic...I wonder what he plans on giving up thus year...hmmm....

God Bless your day my plain sister!

PlainCatholic said...

When you give up something, a virtue is supposed to replace it according to Lenten tradition. What virtues will you choose to cultivate?


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