March 1st Fast

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JMJ

"[The Church] knows, too, that were a season for doing penance left to our choice, we should never do it. Were any month in the twelve optional, we should put off till the last weeks of the year, and then find ourselves unavoidably hindered. She comes, therefore, to our help, and appoints as her principal season of penance, six weeks in the spring, in memory of our Lord's fast of forty days, in union with His bitter Passion and Death . . . If we are wise we shall go beyond what is of obligation, not content ourselves with mere obedience to the Church's laws to fasting and abstinence, but supplement by voluntary endeavor what she enjoins." (Mother Mary Loyola)

Every Lent is a merciful opportunity to regain the proper order in our hearts that is necessary to clearly see the the beauty and wisdom of doing God's will.  Though a temporary season, its fruits are not meant to be thus.  One's perspective in regards to this time greatly determines becomes the "seed sown on rocky ground,  who hears the word and receives it at once with joy but has not root and lasts only for a time." or the "seed sown on rich soil who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold." (Mt. 13:20-21, 23)

This period of penance can be viewed through various lenses. Some consider it as simply obligatory, something to be endured by fulfilling only the necessary requirements, while others embrace it as another project of vanity, utilizing its means for selfish ends.  Undertaking Lent with resentful feelings or prideful designs will produce a harvest that is as barren as the intentions themselves.

But if one understands these six weeks as a time of renewal, and purification through the penitential means the Church encourages, he will find his heart firmly rooted to the rich soil of grace.  Stripped of all unnecessary pleasures, desiring of a closer union with Christ, one delights in the often ignored joys that Our Father mercifully provides.  Though it may be difficult to relinquish habitual attachments, one must confidently trust that the serenity of that comes with  firmly clinging to the poverty and humility of Our Lord will abundantly reward him for his perseverance in this struggle.

"All this means a call to effort and self-sacrifice. We must not, we will not hang back. 'Now is the acceptable time, now are the days of salvation." Who knows whether another Lent will be granted to us? Scripture speaks of the time of death as one when all men will wish to have done more penance. Why prepare fruitless regrets for that awful time! God is willing- more than willing- is most desirous to give us now all the grace we need. Let us win from Him by fervent prayer the special blessing that belongs to a fervent Lent." (Mother Mary Loyola)

February 1 Fast

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JMJ

"Whenever you give your wife advice always begin by telling her how much you love her. Nothing will persuade her so well to admit the wisdom of your words as the assurance that you are speaking with sincere affection." 

(Homily of St. John Chrysostom) 

When one enters into his vocation, he must confidently trust that God has given him the means- and spouse, as in the case of marriage- to grow in the virtues needed to achieve his purpose here on earth: sanctity. 

Why then, does one bristle when fraternal correction or advice is offered by those who only desire their eternal happiness?  Maybe it is because of the natural embarrassment that is suffered when a hidden fault is highlighted.  Still, the deeper reason is that it strikes the entrenched pride which one pretends to deny still abides in his soul.  

How quickly the fortress of defense is raised upon hearing unpleasant but truthful words! Truly, it matters not whether advice is given or correction is said with great tenderness for even the softest words are like tiny barbs to an overly sensitive soul.  Though difficult to accept these small humiliations, one must see these occasions with the eyes of faith, refusing to hold fast to his will and instead, see God's gentle admonishments and merciful will through the words of others. 

January 4th Fast

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JMJ

"How happy would we be, if we believed what these dear souls believe: that they possess God in the Sacraments, and that He remains in their churches and is carried to them when they are sick! Oh my! When they carry the Blessed Sacrament under my window, while I feel the loneliness and sadness of my case, I cannot stop the tears at the thought. My God, how happy would I be. . . if I could find you in the Church as they do. . . how many things I would say to You in the sorrows of my heart and the sins of my life!"

 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton writing a few months before her conversion

The Gift of the most Holy Eucharist is the greatest and yet most neglected treasure that Christ has given us.  As He thirsted for souls from the cross, so He hungers for us from the tabernacle.  He pities the ignorant, who know nothing of this wondrous Sacrament, but is saddened by the informed, who believe in the Real Presence yet fail to drink from the "wellspring of salvation".

The first Christians sacrificed life and limb to receive and defend their God; and now, is it so much to sacrifice sleep and convenience to receive the source of all life?  Is it a lack of faith which prevents so many from taking advantage of the daily banquet He sets before us? Or perhaps it is a deadening of desire.  Though not all can receive Him daily, due to the current circumstances of life, there are many that could and do not because the mantra of excuses drowns out the feeble voices of attempt.

But be heartened and encouraged! Christ yearns for us in this Sacrament of Love, both in the the Sacrifice of the Mass and Adoration.  He longs to shower souls with the graces necessary to live a holy life.  God will not be outdone in generosity; therefore, whatever we sacrifice in order to attend Holy Mass or keep Him company in Adoration, God will reward us many times over as pours out His abundant Life.  

"If, in the presence of this mystery, reason experiences its limits, the heart, enlightened by the grace of the Holy Spirit, clearly sees the response that is demanded, and bows low in adoration and unbounded love." (Ecclesia de Eucharistia)

December 7 Fast

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JMJ

"The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 'Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.'” (Lk 2:25-35) 

As one matures in the spiritual life, he comes to accept and understand the efficacy of the crosses allowed by God.  But finality still brings relief and a definitive conclusion engenders more willing acceptance.  

What becomes difficult is not necessarily the intensity of the burden but its unknown duration. Indeterminacy tempts the soul to despondency, leaving it to think of hope as a romantic notion rather than the indispensable gift from God it must cling to.

In those times when weariness of heart sinks in, when one thinks-"When will it be enough that I have suffered?" - it would do well to recall that He never asks anything of us that He did not ask of His Mother and Joseph. For it was not enough that they had to leave their home so close to the birth; not enough that Mary could not deliver in a warm room; not enough that their shivering Babe had to be laid on rough straw; not enough that they had to leave Bethlehem on a moment's notice after Joseph finally secured a house; not enough that they had to be aliens on a foreign soil. 

For then again, it was not enough that Our Lord should betrayed and abandoned; not enough to be mocked and ruthlessly scourged; not enough to fall multiple times. . .couldn't He have just died there? No, only when He had suffered all His strength could endure was it enough to satisfy the infinite love Christ has for us.

God asks a great trust of those who carry the cross of slow, silent suffering. Do not grow weary, but recall the thrice repeated question of Our Lord to St. Peter:"Do you love me?" And answer with certitude and hope:"Yes, Lord, you know that I do."

"I forget the past and take good care not to anticipate the future. If we grow disheartened, if sometimes we despair, it is because we have been dwelling on the past or the future." (St. Therese)

November 2nd Fast

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JMJ

"It is my desire to be worthy of you, that has made me so severe on myself.  If I am constantly preserved from the excesses common to my age, and which the world so readily excuses, it is not because I have not had the chance to sin; but rather, it is that the thought of you constantly perseveres me. Thus, I have kept myself intact, thanks to you, the sole treasures I can offer you on the day of marriage; a pure body and virginal heart."

(Victor Hugo, writing to his fiancee)

One who has found his beloved is driven to demonstrate his devotion by numerous acts of thoughtfulness.  Yet even more so,  he is motivated to slough off old habits in order to be more deserving of his noble love.  His desire for reform emanates from intense admiration and an understanding that his worthiness depends on a true conversion. As Fulton Sheen once wrote:

"A passion dethroned is not a virtue enthroned. . . Something must be loved; it is not enough to hate evil."

It is not enough to detach from the temporal forces that drag one down or to recognize but simply shrug at the situations/amusements that perhaps polite society "readily excuses." Rather, it is imperative to actively and zealously pursue the virtues that will prevent former vices from returning.  Spouses, friends, and family members can encourage one another in this striving for nobility of character by their patient and selfless example. A peaceful home with an atmosphere of joyful service is a fertile ground for the cultivation of ardent spirits, eager to labor industriously, and so be found worthy of the one they so dearly love and cherish.