By Fr. Joseph Francis –
It is normally said that Lent is a time of penance. For some it is almost a mourning time if they happen to be in a pious home where they keep voluntarily 40 days of abstinence from meat and non-vegetarian food. Some would even engage themselves in fasting on Fridays in Lent.
Though all these are pious, praiseworthy practices, I always question myself about the motives that lead me to such practices. If it were to show off to those around that I am a very good Christian and not like this or that one, it would be reprehensible. If I were to engage in these practices with the idea of controlling my body which I think leads me to sin, it would be gross misunderstanding of our body.
It is an ancient heresy of Manichaeism which says that the evil spirit created the body. The genuine Catholic theology holds that we are bodily selves. Our body is holy because God the Son became one of us by assuming a human nature with a human body through being born of a woman Mary (Cf. Gal 4.4-6). He lived our human life fully; enjoyed the beauties of nature; ate and drank like anyone else.
Triple Temptation of Jesus
Let us have a look at the triple temptation of Jesus during Lent to learn the correct meaning of penance. The devil had watched Jesus intently as he prayed and fasted those 40 days and 40 nights. Though, perhaps, he did not know who Jesus was at this time, he was sure that he was very close to God because that was the normal meaning at that time for the expression “son of God” which he uses. He tells him if he were a son of God, so close to God, he should turn the stones into bread and eat them to allay his hunger. But Jesus would say that the human being lives by every Word of God. He would not hurry to eat; it will come in its own time. He need not use his messianic power for selfish motives.
The devil would then take him to the pinnacle of the temple wall and ask him to jump into the courtyard of the temple where people had gathered for worship in the temple. Seeing him come floating down (that’s what the devil said would happen since angels would hold him up lest he get hurt by the fall) people would accept him as the messiah since they believed that the messiah would have no father or mother and would come down from heaven; but Jesus would not yield to this temptation of presumption. He would be a humble, lowly messiah. But the devil would not relent. It took him to a high mountain to show him the whole world saying that he knows all the tricks of the trade how to play politics, turn one against another, how to acquire wealth and power. He would teach him these entirely if Jesus were to adore him and take him as a teacher. Jesus would just tell him off at such a preposterous suggestion.
Now we can answer the question we raised earlier. There is a meaning for fasting and penance. It is to give first place to God in our life just as Jesus did. It is to say: my God I love you more than food and drink, more than money and wealth, and more than praise and honours. It is not a turning towards self. It is not to say: “I am so wicked, I must punish myself for what I have done” or “I must acquire mastery over my body and the senses”. It is rather to look steadily at God and do whatever is needed by way of penances and mortifications (little sacrifices) to change my attitude to one of love for God above everything.
May this Lenten season be for you a joyful time of turning over. A vernacular poet puts it beautifully when he says that sufferings and penances cause joy for the good people and are like fire that purifies gold. The joy increases as this purification increases. May it be your experience!