Lent is a time for us to deepen our reflection on ourselves, our relationship with God, and our priorities. There are three tools that Jesus gives us in the gospel reading of Ash Wednesday – prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Pope Leo wrote a letter to mark the beginning of Lent where he invited us to an unusual form of fasting: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbour. He said:
“Let us begin by disarming our language,
avoiding harsh words and rash judgement, refraining from slander
and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves.
Instead, let us strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect.”
Fasting is not simply about changing dietary habits but as Pope Leo indicates, the deeper patterns of thoughts and behaviours that that we exhibit in relation to one another. These are the things that over time contribute to form our character. We can go from people who gossip to being gossipers. One is something we do, the other is an almost indelible mark etched on our character. Think of your character as a road. Heavy traffic can wear grooves into the road, and all the traffic that follows on after naturally is channelled towards those grooves. When we try to drive a different path or get out of those deeply worn grooves, we experience bumps and discomfort, until we just go back to the path of least resistance.
Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are tools that we can use to get out of the rut that our habits have gotten us into. They can help us find new paths and new destinations, new priorities and new resolve to do things differently.
May your Lenten season be a time of grace.
May it be a happy and transformative fast.
