Lent: A Quiet Secret Place - A Reflection to Begin Lent

Readings

Some people make amazing Lenten Penances. Two of my favorites are: I am giving up Facebook for Lent posted on Facebook. Another one, I giving up Coke, I’ll drink Pepsi until after Lent. These are funny but true.

The words that begin most of our Lenten journeys are these: "Remember you are dust and unto dust you shall return," as the sign of the cross is traced on our foreheads.

Calling attention to the temporary state of our body reminds us that Life is not about you, you’re about life.

Lent brings reality and humility to our lives - Life is not about you. "Take care not to perform righteous deeds so that people may see them.” Putting extra effort into a life of faith is great, but, don't advertise. Don’t brag of penance.

Lent is a quiet secret place. Keep secret our self-denial and self-examination. Keep discreet what has been missed and attempts to recover what has been lost.

Remember, you’re about life. Jesus says if you're going to fast, wash your face, look as if you're blooming, and smile - don't let on that it is a struggle.

If it's true about fasting, it's true about giving and praying - silence and study - reflection and meditation - compassion and encouragement - and whatever else helps develop and strengthen our faith.

Faith is not strengthened in outward bragging about our differences. Faith grows in the realization of our inward journey of intention, motivation, love, compassion and more. Inward things found in a good life shared.

These are not look at me - outward differences. Self-denial isn't self-denial if it’s an object of attention. “Do not let your left hand know what your right is doing.” Out-ward talk doesn't contribute to the truth of our inward self.  

If someone says, Deacon I loved your homily! I love it; but, talk does not make me grow nearer to God. Instead, talk feeds my ego; empty talk feeds a life about me.

In trying to live up to those words, actions can become an insincere performance. Growing closer to God is not a performance. So avoid doing righteous deeds just so people see them.

But, Jesus doesn’t say forget about it - 'don't fast' or 'don't pray' or 'don't give alms.' Life is not about you, you’re about life. He says, ‘give alms, pray, & fast.' Do these and more, but don't make a big show. Do these things from a quiet secret place.

Lent is a quiet secret place, maybe in the quiet, we find God.

This Lent be about life and do something. Take something on. Give something up. Give more. “Remember you are dust and unto dust you shall return."

Friends, we are about life; may God bless that life.