March 6 Fast

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JMJ

" We find some people who think that to fast well during the holy season of Lent it is enough to abstain from eating some prohibited food. But this thought is too gross to enter into the hearts of religious, for it is to you I speak, as well as persons dedicated to Our Lord. We know very well that it is not enough to fast exteriorly if we do not also fast interiorly and if we do not accompany the fast of the body with that of the spirit. . . Since sin entered the world through the mouth, the mouth must do penance by being deprived of foods prohibited and forbidden by the Church, abstaining from them for the space of forty days. But this glorious saint [Bernard] adds that, as it is not our mouth alone which has sinned, but also our other senses, our fast must be general and entire, that is, all the members of our body must fast. For if we have offended God through the eyes, through the ears, through the tongue, and through our other senses, why should we not make them fast as well?" 

(St. Francis de Sales)

One of the unfortunate consequences of modern technology is the absence of natural pauses in communication, whether spoken (as in a conversation) or written (as in the wait of a letter).  Silence has become awkward rather than welcome, and rapidity of response valued rather than eschewed. Lent offers an opportunity to reclaim a silent space by exhorting the faithful to perform penance for the ravenous senses that constantly yearn for attention and satisfaction.  

Silencing the senses not only acts as a penance for past offenses, but can hopefully serve as a natural bridle to curb the appetites that so often assuage one's passionate nature. Impulsiveness can be transformed into patience but only if one willfully commits to quelling the corrosive cravings of his heart: serving silently rather than complaining loudly; abasing (rather than defending) himself in the face of criticism; welcoming an interruption, rather than exploding at one; mortifying his curiosity rather than indulging it. A selfish soul destroys peace for the sake of self-preservation, but a thoughtful heart humiliates itself for the sake of peace.  

"To treat of fasting and of what is required to fast well, we must, at the start, understand that of itself fasting is not a virtue. The good and the bad, as well as Christians and pagans, observe it. The ancient philosophers observed it and recommended it. They were not virtuous for that reason, nor did they practice virtue in fasting. Oh, no, fasting is a virtue only when it is accompanied by conditions which render it pleasing to God."

(St. Francis de Sales) 

February 7th Fast

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JMJ

"If I wait for an opportune moment to do something truly great, how many times will such occasions actually present themselves?  No, I will seize the occasions that present themselves every day. I must accomplish ordinary actions, in an extraordinary way."

(Venerable Francis-Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận)

What differentiates the Christian from the secularist? It is this: a Christian's life must be determined by his desire for holiness, his hope in heaven.  One makes his actions extraordinary, not be neglecting his responsibilities, but by realizing the potential for sanctity through them.  A faithful follower of Jesus Christ allows his daily activities to be transformed through the willing acceptance of God's grace, using it to elevate his day from the secular to the sacred.  

And so, an invitation for gossip in conversation becomes an opportunity for silence and restraint.  An unbearable wait does not correspond to a frivolous phone search, but instead allows for some time for mental prayer.  An occasion of vexatious inconvenience is now seen as an occasion of charity.  And the barrage of daily demands leads not to a begrudging meting out but to a patient self-giving.

"Jesus, I will not wait, I will live in the present moment, filling it to the brim with love." 

January 3rd Fast

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JMJ

"Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.  Whoever loses his life, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves Me must follow Me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves Me." (Jn 12:24-26)

The beginning of a New Year is a special period of grace that God mercifully allows once again shed the old self and take on the new.  It is imperative to prayerfully examine one's conscience, and not simply allow the first few days of the year to come and go like the lazy tide.  Hopes may be high for annual resolutions, but if they are not accompanied by decisive action and an earnest desire for conversion, they continue to remain unattainable.  A resolution must not be wistful but willful.  It is realistic, rooted to the ground by the humble acknowledgment of a fault, and the eager desire to correct it.  The Church wisely dedicates the first of the year to the Blessed Mother, and who better than a mother can gently advise her children as to how they must improve.  She knows a contrite heart, and looks kindly on a willing spirit; ask her help, and through her hands, beg for His grace.  

December 6th Fast

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JMJ

"Which of you, with a servant ploughing or minding sheep, would say to him when he returned from the fields,'Come and have your meal immediately'? Would he not be more likely to say, 'Get my supper laid; make yourself tidy and wait on me while I eat and drink. You can eat and drink yourself afterwards'? Must he be grateful to the servant for doing what he was told? So with you: when you have done all you have been told to do say,'We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty.'" (Luke 17:7-10)

When Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem with the unborn Savior that first Christmas night, there were many hardships to be endured, but surely the most difficult to suffer was the callousness of others who were apathetic to their needs.   Pointed cruelty was not aimed at this poor couple, but simple and silent disregard.  The people they encountered could be not bothered with them, and either through indifference or indolence, they were quietly ignored.  No complaint arose from Mary's lips, no cry of frustration from Joseph's tongue; instead, only pity for those who were unaware of the treasure they forewent in refusing to serve the Divine Gift come down from Heaven.

In meditating upon Our Lord's birth, one may imagine that he would be with the shepherds to adore Him "at midnight, in piercing cold."  He imagines what small service he could render the Holy Babe; what comfort he could give His Blessed Mother and humble foster father.   But like St. Catherine of Siena, who was forced to serve as a servant in her large household, one can serve the Holy Family by imagining those he encounters (especially his own family) as the Blessed Three of Bethlehem.

One who is a servant of a king, considers himself blessed to perform any service, no matter how laborious or unseemly.  He is quick to respond to a request and does not languidly loiter.  Fatigue and feelings are set aside as fidelity to duty readily dominates. He is humbled when he reflects that His sovereign has entrusted him with a responsibility to execute his tasks faithfully.  He expects no other reward than the great privilege of being a member of the King's household.  So, we too, as servants of the King may be mindful that the services we are asked to render Him, as evidenced through our daily duties, are the ways we can offer succor to him and Our Lady and St. Joseph.  Through the guise of drudgery or inconvenience, we attend to Our Master and say,"we are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty."

November 1st Feast of All Saints

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JMJ

"For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.  From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance." (2 Tim 4:6-8)

Each morning one is prepared with sound resolutions and the zeal to practice the accompanying virtues that are required for them.  Unfortunately, as the day drags on, his store of patience is slowly depleted, and with it, his reserves of persevearance quickly run dry.  By the day's end, he is often exhausted from taxing battles- physical, mental, and spiritual. The respite he seeks is within reach, when still another implores his attention.  Perhaps it is something small, but at that moment, when so little of his stamina remains, a seemingly innocuous request looms large and burdensome.

He considers the matter briefly, hearing his ego opine incessantly,"It is too much!" His cup is nearly empty, only the pitiful dregs remain; cannot he savor these last few drops for himself? Or must he give them up too? Though he has freely sacrificed himself all the day, or week, or month, or year, there is a present need that can only be filled by his love, and no other.  There is solace in the knowledge that only he is needed, if not comfort in the outpouring of his spirit.

The total gift of self, compelled by one's vocation, is, as St. Paul wisely said:"being poured out like a libation." It is a complete emptying of one's store of energy, in all facets of life.  The intensity of the demand requires a constant replenishment of the needed graces to sacrifice generously and joyfully, not begrudgingly and resentfully. These graces come through the Sacraments, but also by frequent prayer throughout the day- continual contact with the one who supplies all our needs.  In particular, we should implore our dear Mother in Heaven, who greatly desires us to ask for graces through her intercession. For what Mother does not wish her child to succeed and finish the race well?