7th Sunday in Ordinary Time...and the last one before Lent...
With a visiting priest from the Holy Trinity Seminary, we prayed for the courage of those studying there. Holy Orders...
Also, the homily was about forgiveness. Interestingly, the priest said that forgiveness has an incorrect perception of denial...meaning if you forgive-you deny the wrong has occured. In fact, the opposite is true-forgiviness includes acknowledging the act occured, but also that it is no longer an issue, and once forgiven then it (like our sins) cease to exist.
The other issue of confession was how we all never seem to go...the four men from the gospel needed to lower us into the confessional-as they did the paralytic into Jesus' presence to be healed. Do you need to be carried into the confessional? I know I need to.
So, here we are on the brink of Lent-with decisions to make.
1. What am I going to give up for Lent (Peggy, what is the benefit of self denial?)
2. What am I going to do positively ( I think I am going to go to daily mass at least 1 time during the week...I should probably call it going to Mass during the week not daily mass...)
3. Who is going to win best actress?
OK--so you are also each challenged in this way...Read Lord Have Mercy (Hahn) and we will discuss it as we go.
Please wish me luck on trying to find a Mass in Denver or Chicago as I leave town Tuesday morning and return on Thursday night...
don't forget to write...Dad that means you too...
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Since you asked, here are a few thoughts on self-denial.
ReplyDelete1. It directs our attention away from satisfying our own desires and focuses our attention on God or others. As a result, it helps us to develop a spirit of un-selfishness in contrast to selfishness from which all sin stems. Remember the rice bowls from elementary school? You were supposed to forego enjoying something and donate the price of it (via the bowl) to some charitable group.
2. It also serves as an act of mortification in atonement for our sins. Have you ever felt the need to give Becky flowers along with that apology just to punctuate the sincerity of your contrition for that selfish/inconsiderate act?
3. It helps us build “spiritual muscle” by strengthening our will power and developing self-restraint. It’s been said that it only takes 3 times doing something to develop a habit - whether good or bad. We need that discipline to fight temptation and avoid the near occasions of sin. (Jesus set the example for us by fasting for 40 days in the desert. Maybe He knew something we don't.)
4. It can also be intercessory if we “offer it up” for others. Did anyone ever suggest that you offer up some unpleasantness for the sake of the poor souls in purgatory? I'm sure I will be spending a lot of time there one of these days. I hope someone will do that for me - hint, hint.
5. Doing without something good helps us to appreciate it more. Self-denial can help us to be more aware of our dependence on God for all things and develop a thankful heart for His many blessings.
6. Denying ourselves simple pleasures helps us to focus our attention on God’s will for us as part of His divine plan. We all have a tendency to get caught up with our routines, activities, self-importance (see 1), etc. We need to remind ourselves periodically that we are on this earth for His purposes, not our own.
You did ask! Anyone else?
There is a website that gives the places and times for Masses all over the US. I don’t have the address handy at the moment, but you could also do a search for catholic churches in the areas to which you’re traveling.
Who did win best actress?
Ok, good thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI do have a few questions...wouldn't doing something positive have the same effect? At least with respect to #1,2, and 4?
I completely agree with the spiritual muscle, and self discipline-but I think a positive step or act is just as powerful if not more in terms of focusing on God and others.
You will all be happy I did make it to a Mass in Denver at Ski Jesus (the church is shaped like a big ski jump-so the locals call it Ski Jesus.)
I also was lucky enough to be near touchdown Jesus on Tuesday...yes I rode past the campus of Notre Dame while on our trip to the Chicago area and north Indiana. Very cool to see the snow and the GOLD dome-it is a beautiful place.
The self-discipline is pretty important because no matter who we are, we can be assured that we will encounter temptations and it will usually be disguised in a very pretty package.
ReplyDeleteDon't you think self-denial may predispose one to self-giving and thus result in those "positives?" You generally have to "give up" something in order to do that positive - time, talent, treasure.
Someone near and dear to us all once told me you should do at least one nice thing (positive)for another each day. I don't think he was speaking specifically about Lent. The Lenten practices (resolutions)should carry over thoughout the year.