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Lenten Observance
Examination of Conscience
“Run the race. Run that you may obtain the
prize”
Traditionally, Holy
Mother Church has us observe a number of periods of fasting and abstinence
throughout the year. “Fasting” refers to a decrease in our food intake,
while abstinence refers to abstaining from meat and poultry. Most of the
Fridays of the year are abstinence days (even under the new (1983) Code of
Canon Law, unless the nation's bishops have prescribed an alternative
penance) and some days (like the ember days and some of the days of Lent)
require both fasting and abstinence. Most of the days of Lent are merely
fasting days—see "Lenten Observance," linked above.
Other days are no
longer prescribed by Church law, but have a strong basis in our customs and
traditions. The four weeks of Advent are a good example, or the period with
the tongue twisting name "Septuagesima," which begins today. The
next two Sundays will have similar names, the three meaning in Latin that we
are approximately seventy, sixty, and then fifty days before the great feast
of Easter. In the early Church and in some monasteries, all of these days
were observed with the rigor of the Lenten fast. In more recent centuries
these tests were reduced to the forty days of Lent, known as “Quadragesima.”
Most of this has been
lost in the modernist church, whose parishioners tend to see Lent as nothing
more than an exercise for taking off a few pounds, or perhaps as an
opportunity to quit smoking. The religious significance generally eludes
them. So let me share with you the words of Pope Saint Leo the Great.
Curiously, they appear in the Breviary during Advent which has been played
down as a fasting time in recent years.
Since he wrote in
December, Pope Leo mentions the fast as a sacrifice of thanksgiving for the
harvest. Lent more or less coincides with the planting season, so we can
think of it as a fast imploring the future benefit of abundant crops—a sort
of thanksgiving in advance.
Leo tells us that by
fasting “we draw near to God.” Well, of course we do if we are fasting for
that purpose. God is pure Spirit, and by denying our material half, we are
emphasizing our spiritual half—showing God that we want to be more and more
like Him. We are likewise “making a stand against the devil” —a natural side
effect of drawing near to God—but also, denying our material nature means
that the devil has far fewer ways to tempt us to sin. Pope Leo says that we
also “overcome the softer enticements to sin.” I have always thought of this
as practicing our free will in such a way that by giving up innocent
pleasures we train ourselves to avoid those pleasures that are not so innocent and
may be downright sinful.
“Fasting has ever been
the ‘bread of strength’” says Leo. Again, self denial strengthens the will
so that we are strong enough to resist evil. “From abstinence proceeds pure
thoughts, reasonable desires, and healthy counsels.” The mind is clear,
making much better decisions than when it is dulled with food or drink. “By
voluntary mortifications the flesh dies to lust, and the soul is renewed in
might.”
Pope Leo suggests that
fasting is made even more beneficial by works of mercy. And, quite
practically, by denying our own appetites, we will have more to share with
the poor, and to perform other works of charity. “Let us spend in good
deeds what we take from indulgence. Let our fast become the banquet of the
poor.”
Yet, we are about two
and a half weeks before canonical Lent begins. What should we be doing
right now? Septuagesima may be seen as a period of preparation: We might
“wind down” our eating habits—eating a little bit less and paying less
attention to the fine quality of our food and drink; making dining less
socially important. Winding down the social scale will be very important by
the time Lent comes around—we are much less likely to keep the Lenten fasts
if our friends expect us to join them for drinks and dinner! Now is the
time to plan your appointments for Lent.
Now is the time to
acquire good spiritual literature. Good reading is essential to the
spiritual life. It should also serve as a Lenten replacement for more
profane entertainments. It may take some time if you have to order reading
materials, so now is the time to start looking.
At an absolute minimum,
the Church requires that we receive Holy Communion at least once during the
Lenten-Easter season, and make a Sacramental Confession at least once during
the calendar year. This pre‑Lenten season is the time to prepare. We have
a leaflet that will help you to make a thorough examination of conscience in
preparation for your Easter Confession and Communion.
LINK TO PAGE
So, today the vestments
and altar drapes have changed to purple. There are no flowers on the altar.
The music is more somber. Today is Septuagesima Sunday and we are wise to
get ready for a holy Lent in preparation for the Church's most holy feast of
Easter!
“Run the race. Run that you may obtain the
prize. ”
Run so that you may obtain the prize of eternal salvation
