Wednesday, March 6, 2024

A Lenten Word



So what's going on in LSPland, you ask. I'll tell you, the sun shines, birds sing, and fasting continues apace. It's Lent, you see, and that means doing your bit to draw closer to the Cross, part of which means cutting back on all that food. St. Francis de Sales offers measured advice:

In a word, whosoever gains the heart has won the whole man. But this heart needs to be trained in its external conduct, so that it may display not merely a true devotion, but also wisdom and discretion. To this end I would make one or two suggestions.

If you are able to fast, you will do well to observe some days beyond what are ordered by the Church, for besides the ordinary effect of fasting in raising the mind, subduing the flesh, confirming goodness, and obtaining a heavenly reward, it is also a great matter to be able to control greediness, and to keep the sensual appetites and the whole body subject to the law of the Spirit; and although we may be able to do but little, the enemy nevertheless stands more in awe of those whom he knows can fast. The early Christians selected Wednesday, Friday and Saturday as days of abstinence. Do you follow therein according as your own devotion and your director’s discretion may appoint.

it is also a great matter to be able to control greediness, and to keep the sensual appetites and the whole body subject to the law of the Spirit, yes indeed and the saint goes on to counsel moderation:

I am prepared to say with S. Jerome (to the pious Leta) that I disapprove of long and immoderate fasting, especially for the young. I have learnt by experience that when the colt grows weary it turns aside, and so when young people become delicate by excessive fasting, they readily take to self-indulgence. The stag does not run with due speed either when over fat or too thin, and we are in peril of temptation both when the body is overfed or underfed; in the one case it grows indolent, in the other it sinks through depression, and if we cannot bear with it in the first case, neither can it bear with us in the last. A want of moderation in the use of fasting, discipline and austerity has made many a one useless in works of charity during the best years of his life, as happened to S. Bernard, who repented of his excessive austerity. Those who misuse the body at the outset will have to indulge it overmuch at last. Surely it were wiser to deal sensibly with it, and treat it according to the work and service required by each man’s state of life.

I found that helpful and hope you do too, from Part III Chapter XXIII of The Introduction to the Devout Life.

God bless,

LSP

7 comments:

  1. Thanks LSP, what a great addition to Lenten studies

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  2. Right on, Longhorn, he gives great advice.

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  3. Thank you, Parson.
    You all be safe. Praying the coming weather will be just rain.
    God bless.

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  4. St. Francis de Sales is very... moderate, in a good way I think. Wise counsel, not least for me.

    Just rain and thunder here.

    Bless you.

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  5. I routinely do 48 - 56 hour fasts for health which in my world is "moderate." So it's been hard this year to translate fasting into a spiritual practice like I used to do. I have fasted from having a martini until Easter Sunday, so I guess that's sort of spiritually efficacious :-)

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  6. Great commentary Saint Francis: "...and although we may be able to do but little, the enemy nevertheless stands more in awe of those whom he knows can fast."


    You are looking quite dapper LSP!

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  7. If your church body and/or your faith lead you to give up something for Lent, you should do so.
    I, a Lutheran, on the other hand, never liked Lent. Being a northerner, it seemed to add more of a depressing aspect to an already difficult season--that being dirty snow and cold lingering through February, March and April.
    Therefore, this year I finally researched the source of Lent, having never seen anything resembling the practice in the Bible. My review, of mostly Catholic sources, discloses that prior to about the year 300, there was no such season. While I respect the Catholic church's views on many topics, abortion for instance, I cannot 'celebrate' Lent.
    This is not to say that I am unaware of my sinful nature: I simply do not feel a need to add another layer of guilt onto that awarenesss.
    All that aside, I enjoy your blog, and I will say a prayer for your departed friend.

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