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Ash Wednesday falling on Valentine's Day makes me chuckle every time I look at the calendar. The former, a day of penance highlighted by fasting, austere practice, and of course, ashes. The latter, a day to give gifts and treat yourself to a fancy dinner. So what can these days possibly have in common? Relationships. For Valentine’s Day, it's pretty clear. And while dinner plans might be a bit more difficult this year, the adapted simplicity of the celebration allows you to focus on the other in a more intentional way. The elaborate plans, crowded restaurant, it can be put aside this year.
Even if you don’t have a significant other, all of us live in a complex web of relationships. Oftentimes, Lent can be looked at solely as personal growth. It becomes solitary and focuses on our personal discipline. However, our faith tradition tells us even works of sacrifice and penance ought to be done in community. We are not to boost or show off, but that we all take part on this journey together. This Ash Wednesday, let's reflect on the many relationships in our life and how we can better them. As we strive for conversion this Lent, may we also have a conversion in attitude towards those in our lives.
In a world made up of so many connections, may we become more aware of our interactions with others. This convergence of relationships on February 14th is a great opportunity for us, on what otherwise would be a very awkward pair.
If you’re like me, the hardest part of Lent is giving up something. If I have to pick, chocolate is the go to. You make it a few weeks slowly becoming more grumpy. Your favorite treat is out of reach for the next 40 days. Easter eventually comes and you put this practice behind until it inevitably comes around again next year.
Now, Lenten promises tend to be easier than New Year’s resolutions. The prospect of 40 days is much more attainable than 365 to forever. So what can we do to spice up Lent?
I introduce to you the concept of Evolving Lent. That is every week, you add something new. This borrows from the concept of progressive solemnity, which is slowly working up to the celebration. Taking a look at Lent’s purple cousin of Advent, we have four weeks which build up to the birth of Christ. Day 3 of Advent should have a different feeling than day 37. We also see this in Orthodox and Eastern Catholics with fasting that ramps up the closer you get to the celebration.
For Lent, each week try adding a new item. Given its 6 weeks, I suggest picking two from each of the pillars of Lent: Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving.
Some suggestions:
Prayer: 15 minutes of day of quiet prayer, a chapter of the Bible, rosary, this is a pretty wide category!
Fasting: Chocolate (ok let’s be more creative), soda, a hobby that occupies too much of your time.
Almsgiving: Giving to a good cause, giving of your time, advocating for a group.
By Holy Week you will have a robust routine which is still fresh and new! Hope you have a fruitful and enriching Lent!
This segment might be changed to Vatican Documents you’ve never heard of. Another little gem which did not gain much traction, Ad theologiam promovendam, was released late last year. There is not an official translation, but thanks to a professor, I have an English text to read. The document is a motu proprio which means “on his own impulse.” The “he” being the pope. It is a personal, not infallible, but official statement from the pope. The statement is addressed to the Pontifical Academy of Theology which is a school in Rome which was established in 1718 under Clement XI.
The focus of the academy has changed over the centuries. And this makes sense, as their goal is to help theology be at a better service to the world and Church (article 2). Following many of his predecessors, Pope Francis has called for an updated focus of the academy, responding to current needs. Pulling on an old axiom, he reminds us that theologians, just like pastors, ought to smell like their sheep (article 3). There is a call for contextual theology, that is a way of understanding which is meaningful and applicable to the ordinary life of the believer. Tying this into the general theme of synodality, theology must grow in dialogue, especially with those who are not surrounded by books (article 6).
The document is not a call to make everyone a theologian, but a reminder that doctrine, practice, and theology are all meant to move people into deeper conversion and union with God. Yes, this involves being authentic and calling for ongoing conversion. But, if they are not accessible or relevant to our current situation, how can we expect people to listen to our message? Theology does not bend at the whim of current breezes. Rather, like an attentive parent, it listens to their child responding in truth, but in a loving way to the ever changing challenges in life. This is the re-focusing Pope Francis is calling for as he sees in the here and now. From a practical purpose, it leaves all of us to ask: is the purpose of our work (volunteer, non-church career, etc.) to build up others or just our own benefit?
February is full of major all star events. Typically, the NFL, NHL, and NBA each have their respective games during the month. While the games themselves are not very competitive, what I look forward to are the weekend long events. There’s the opening festivities, skills competition, and eventually, the game. What particularly draws me in is the atmosphere. Here are professional athletes, some of the most competitive people in the world, just having fun.
The usual rivalries are put aside and there is a general attitude of celebration. To some extent, it reminds me of the time between Christmas and New Years. From a work perspective, things slow down. The business of Christmas is over as we coast into the next holiday.
Historically, holidays were a time for things to slow down. Towns would close so people could celebrate. Even further back, weddings were multi-day events. No work, just celebration. In these all star weekends, we capture a bit of that feeling. The sports world slows down, we gather with friends, and just have fun. Maybe we can re-learn this special way of celebrating.