When someone asked Saint John de Brebeuf, one of the Eight North American Martyrs, how he was able to cope with the cold winters of Canada, he replied, “You have to embrace the cold.” With the same spirit, let us embrace this Lent with its fasts and sacrifices.
Ash Wednesday is a perfect day to reflect on the importance of fasting and sacrifice in our spiritual pilgrimage.
Lent is a period of profound self-examination and preparation for the renewal of our Baptismal vows on Holy Saturday, and fasting plays a significant role in this process. It is not merely about abstaining from certain foods or luxuries; rather, it’s an opportunity to cultivate discipline, mindfulness, and a deeper conviction of our faith.
Saint Thomas Aquinas points out that we fast for three purposes: 1) to restrain the desires of the flesh; 2) to raise the mind to contemplate sublime things; and 3) to make satisfaction for our sins.
Here are some insights into fasting and sacrifice that might help you make your Lenten journey spiritually profitable:
1. Intention Matters: When you fast or make sacrifices, be sure that your intentions are pure and done for the love of God. How pleasing this will be to God during these dark and troubled times. As St. Francis of Assisi wisely said, “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” You can be a candle.
2. Reflect and Pray: Use this time of sacrifice to engage in reflection and prayer. It’s a chance to draw closer to God and seek His guidance. Focus on the spiritual benefits rather than the physical discomfort.
3. Family Involvement: Consider involving your family in your fasting and sacrificial efforts. You can collectively make a positive impact on those around you. “Where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there I am in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)
4. Decide What to Sacrifice: Be creative in your choices for sacrifice. It doesn’t have to be about food only, although you do need to honor the prescribed fast and abstinence of Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. You could sacrifice your time to help someone or give up superfluous material possessions.
Let us remember that Lent is not just about giving something up; it’s about making room in our hearts for a deeper connection with Jesus Christ and His Sorrowful Mother.
Finally, in the words of Saint John Chrysostom: “Fasting is the chief work of the higher philosophy, and places men on a level with angels, and vanquishes the incorporeal powers.”
May this Lent bring you spiritual growth, a renewed sense of purpose, and a deeper commitment to the Catholic Faith and its sanctifying traditions.
