OK, I want to give you an image of what Easter feels like. I want each of you to take a deep breath and hold it as long as you can. [I also hold my breath . . . as I try talking about how hard this is to do]. Now inhale.
That feeling of finally taking a breath is what Easter is all about. The longer that you could hold your breath, the better the feeling of finally inhaling. If you just hold your breath for a little bit [Have everyone, including me, hold breath for a few seconds] the inhale is fine, it’s cute, it’s OK . . . but it’s nothing compared to REALLY working at it . . . and really needing that big gasp of air. That is a good illustration for Lent and for Easter.
As you heard in the gospel readings (which are the same each year), Jesus invites the disciples and us to try some spiritual practices that are meant, not to impress others, but to deepen our spirituality. And of course, if you do not do anything . . . then you don’t do anything. Or if you try something and you “goof up” or slip . . . it doesn’t mean that you are going to hell. Get right back in there and work at it again.
The focus for our Lent journey as a parish is SILENCE. We have some activities going on the season for you to participate with (which are on a handout that you will receive at the end of Mass). We also want to include more deliberate times of silence in our Masses. And all of these are invitations for us to grow in our spiritualties. We hope that you will attempt to slow down some things for yourself during Lent . . . or at least to become more mindful about what you do.
Let me give you an example . . .
You know that I like to sing. Well, I take voice lessons, or you could say voice coaching. I have been taking lessons for over 30 years. I have a teacher in St. Cloud . . . and basically I pay this woman to yell at me. And one of the many things that she is calling me to focus on is NOT to open my mouth so wide when I sing. Apparently, when I do that I exhale too much breath. But when I sing with my mouth closed tighter, less air escapes and I can sing longer one each phrase longer. This is not easy, and I constantly have to remember to do this. But as I do it, it becomes more natural and more consistent.
Well the same thing applies when we look at how to approach Lent . . . of course there are things that we can do, as Jesus suggested in the gospel:
-to give alms (that is money) to those in need. For example the Rice Bowls,
-to fast from something (or give up something) For example late night snacks, or pop
-to pray (simply enough)
But what I purpose you do try this year is work on all three areas, not just one. And not that you need to do each of those in a big way. Such as giving up all bread, or giving half of your salary to the poor or spending hours each day in prayer. But realistically to try to focus on all three areas for a bit.
Now if you want to do BIG things, go ahead. But I generally find that we all have good intentions and the more outrageous the activity the less we stay committed to it. For example I remember a friend of mine who wanted to finally get in shape, so he buys a tread-mill and for the first week or so we was putting in a good hour everyday . . . well, you know how this works out, after a week of sore muscles or plenty of excuses . . . he stopped doing anything and is still out of shape. Whoa, instead of running a marathon, try walking a few more steps. Instead of cutting out all sugar, how about cutting down on sugar.
Instead of committing to reading the entire bible, try a few verses. It is not that those aren’t good ideas . . . but Lent is meant to deepen our closeness to God FOR THE ENTIRE 40 DAYS!
Not simply to brag about what we are doing, or to make us feel so superior with our intentions . . . but to improve yourself in whatever little ways you can.
We will be focusing on quieting ourselves during these Lent days. For example pausing after communion. That means it is a time for us to talk to God. It’s not meant as a time to sleep or to plan what you are doing after Mass . . .but to become more mindful of the present. To be HERE and nowhere else.
Easter can become a wonderful inhale of goodness. The more that you put into Lent, the bigger and more fulfilling Easter will become.