The Express-News had a piece by Staff Writer Rene Guzman on Lent this past Sunday with the title, “Jesus, haven’t we given up enough this year?” It spoke about Lent and the practice of sacrificing or giving up things we like, such as the favorite television show, chocolate, sodas, or other things. This past year we have all had to make many sacrifices in light of the pandemic. We carry and use our masks everywhere, keep social distance, wash hands frequently and follow every protocol. We did not go to the theatre, sports events, receptions and even family gatherings. So, the question is how much more do we need to give up? Haven’t we all done enough?
It would seem that the article had a good point, except that giving up things for Lent is not just about doing without, but rather to focus on doing more. The piece did quote several people who said they will do more praying and more giving, which is the reason for the season in the first place. I was happy it put Lent into the proper perspective. It is meant as an annual moment of refocus on what we are about as followers of Jesus. We best prepare for Holy Week by our actions, which hopefully will become ongoing habits for the rest of the year.
Matthew in the gospel reading for today is speaking to a Jewish-Christian audience who knew these penitential practices. He did not have to explain or urge the faithful to do these, but rather he wanted them to work on their disposition. The question Matthew wants us to ask ourselves is why do I do these practices.
This section is part of the lengthy Sermon on the Mount where Jesus lays out what it means to be a faithful follower. It is interesting the order that Jesus puts these penitential practices: almsgiving is first as if to say that if we are living charity in our lives, if we are really people who give generously, then prayer and personal sacrifice like fasting will flow from that. Prayer and reflection become the fruit of our encounter with those in need, with doing it for Jesus, with giving of ourselves.
When Jesus says to practice these in private or in secret, the idea is not so much not to let others know what you do, but rather not to seek other’s approval rather than God’s. Are we role playing, or is it something we do from the heart? Do we fear rejection or are we just trying to please others? Hypocrites are condemned by Jesus later. Lent is a good time for an attitude adjustment!
What Jesus says here seems to contradict what he urged the disciples after teaching the Beatitudes in the previous chapter. That was when he called them “the light of the world” and told them to “let your light shine” but that “your” was meant for the whole community. It is the community of disciples giving and praying and sacrificing together that shines forth for all to see. We live our faith and follow Jesus not as loners but as a community of faith. That’s harder since we have to deal with each other all the time trying to figure out how we come together as disciples.
Prayer is the same, not to be done for other’s admiration, but to God. Prayer is taking the time to just be there with God, even “wasting time with God,” listening for what God wants to say to us. I have a special prayer spot in my home for morning and evening prayer. I know when I am there it is God’s time to speak to me and my time to really listen. We will always hear something if we just take the time.
Fasting is tough for us. We have so much food in our lives. Food is one of those wonderful pleasures which not only nourishes the body and provides such enjoyment in the taste, and often it also becomes the moment to gather with others around a table for great fellowship. Fasting asks us to simply reduce the volume a bit and to be aware when my stomach growls that I am reminded of how much I have and how many others have so little. It is a moment to be in God’s presence and ask how to give back as well. Fasting is done with joy, life, in union with God.
Lent is a time to get back to basics. True religion is to acknowledge God is God and we are God’s creatures, sent to this world to share God’s love. We give form and substance to this in the way we practice our faith every day in little ways and not so little ways.
This Lent we are dispensed from attending Sunday Mass, even the Holy Week services. We are dispensed from abstaining from meat on Fridays of Lent. What we are not dispensed from is imitating Jesus in the way we live, think, and treat others. The special year we are in with the pandemic should call us to be creative with our Lenten sacrifices. A few weeks ago I suggested we all consider giving up social media, especially the type that angers me, or tempts me to strike out or to blame or to judge others. On the positive side, giving to help those suffering economically from the virus is a great way to live Lent. Reaching out in calls or emails to those quarantined or to a home bound loved one is another. Come on, you can think of many more ways!
Lent asks us to prepare to enter into the Paschal Mystery, the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. It confronts us with the one who gave his life for us as the Suffering Servant. We are called to figure out how we also give our lives in following him.
This Lent instead of giving up, try giving. Do a work of charity each week. Find a way to reach out to others, then pray over that and fast or do some personal sacrifice in union with those who suffer.
So, “haven’t we given up enough this year?” Nope, not enough, never enough, when the one we follow gave it all.
Fr. David Garcia is a retired priest from the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas, where he served for 44 years. During that time, Fr. Garcia was instrumental in the effort to have the Old Spanish Missions recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also oversaw the multimillion-dollar restoration of San Fernando Cathedral. Fr. David served as pastor for several parishes in San Antonio, including the historic Mission Concepción. He also served as Senior Advisor for Clergy Outreach at Catholic Relief Services, the official international humanitarian and relief agency of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.