We begin the season of Lent. Another opportunity in our faith life to draw close to Our Lord. A time to focus on priorities and to commit ourselves to following Jesus. Lenten readings once again call us to the pillars of Christian spirituality: prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Like most readers of the Star Herald I take my faith life seriously. I find ample opportunities during Lent to be more attentive to my prayer life and to give to those in need. Our parishes will provide time for daily Mass, Stations of the Cross, penance services and perhaps Scripture study that allow us to be more prayerful during this holy season. The same is true with the discipline of almsgiving. God knows there are plenty of opportunities to give money and time to help the less fortunate.
I must confess, however, that the discipline of fasting is where I need the most work. I like an occasional beer with some chips or pretzels, and every year I seem to fall short of my Lenten fasting resolution.
Don’t get me wrong. I recognize the importance of fasting. Sacred Scripture is full of references to the discipline in both the Old and New Testaments. Jesus himself fasted and in the Gospel of Matthew Our Lord teaches the disciples how to fast. (“Do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, but look clean and refreshed.” Matt. 6:16-18).
Feeling guilty, I spoke to a priest friend about my fasting shortcomings. He wisely advised me to change the way I look at fasting. I was reminded that fasting is not spiritual dieting! Fasting is a positive act, he counseled, that is meant to deepen my relationship with God.
I thought, “What is keeping me from deepening my relationship with God?” Certainly it is not the occasional beer. I examined my day and it hit me. I have too much noise in my life and the noise prevents me from listening to the Lord. I am addicted to talk radio and am a news junkie. On the car radio or at home watching cable I constantly listen to the banter, and quite frankly, get myself worked up. Whether it is the latest political controversy or sports debate, my mind is distracted. I found my excess.
Now with my morning coffee I read the daily Mass readings. In the car I shut off the radio and pray the rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet. I invested in good spiritual CDs so my ride becomes a mini retreat. At home I turn off the television for an hour and focus on spiritual reading. This Lent I am prayerfully reading the Gospels and have purchased good spiritual books.
What is the purpose of my noise fast? I want to deepen my relationship with God, and especially to listen to my Savior. Where is Jesus calling me? How can I better serve him? How can I share his love? I pray the noise fast will help me answer these questions. I am also glad that, without guilt, I can drink the occasional beer.
Vincent Guest is an attorney and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Camden Center for Law and Social Justice, Inc.
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