Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for? Matthew 16:24-26 (The Message)
Yesterday I spoke about fasting and the idea that it is an exercise to get us in touch with the passion and death of Jesus. It puts us in mind of our mortality. Even in the start of the Lenten season, Ash Wednesday, there is a reminder that our time on earth is limited.
As we make decisions on what to fast for Lent, we should be in mind of this- simply giving something up, or denying ourselves of a certain pleasure is only half of the equation. The small act of giving something up, as noble as that may appear, is insufficient in our quest to get in touch with the true experience of Lent. We need to fill in the blank that is left by the omission of the practice we just gave up.
Nature abhors a vacuum. When there is no practice or behavior put into place by what we have omitted, the thing we have fasted or given up loses some meaning. For example, if we decide to give up the pleasure of chocolate for Lent (no small sacrifice, I might add), we need to fill in that void by making a positive gesture in its place. If I were to spend about $1.25 for a candy bar a few times per week (yes, I might do that- don’t judge), then I should earmark that amount of money toward a good project for the benefit of others. That way, my little sacrifice benefits others, it does not simply give me a sense of well-being that I have denied myself that pleasure.
The idea of making our little sacrifice a benefit to others is the essence of the run-up to the Cross of Good Friday. So, consider how that little sacrifice we make for Lent can be used for the benefit of others.
Prayer: Lord, give us discernment as we consider our Lenten mindset, Amen
Reflections of a Counselor 