Returning to the Joy of the Gospel

During several discussions about spiritual practices for Lent, I have been a little disturbed about the prevalence of the misconception that we "give something up for Lent" as a way of either self-improvement or proving the possibility of surviving 40 days without chocolate or coffee.

Fasting has been (until recently) regarded as an integral part of the Christian spiritual life not because it is a way of proving something to God or simply identifying with the materially poor, but because it builds self-mastery in a way different from other disciplines. Long before the scholastic maxim "Grace builds on nature" had ever been quoted, the Desert Fathers understood that the self-mastery of the ascetic life opens us to God's grace in a way that is unique and profound.

If you have not yet decided on spiritual resolutions for this Lent, consider this: spiritual practices during Lent that are mortifying are not an end in themselves. Their purpose is not self-improvement, it is not torture, it is not merely identifying with the materially poor, but a return to God's grace.

Penance that reminds us of our sins and weaknesses should remind us of our need for God and awake in us a longing for closer union with him. Thus fasting and mortification should cause us joy, not grief - because everything we do in this season of grace recalls us to the joy of the Gospel.

As a further note on fasting and penance: these are regarded principally as outward signs of the inner disposition for conversion accompanied by spiritual practices; thus not keeping silence, showing charity, doing works of mercy, and intensifying prayer can vitiate a fast and make it an empty and joyless exercise of restraint.

Fast from food, feast on grace.
Fast from judgment, feast on mercy.
Fast from resentment, feast on forgiveness.
Fast from fear, feast on trust.
Fast from selfishness, feast on compassion.
Fast from idle gossip, feast on intentional silence.
Fast from anger, feast on patience.
Fast from complaints, feast on gratitude
Fast from darkness, feast on light.