DON’T BEGIN YOUR LENTEN PRACTICE WITHOUT READING THIS FIRST!

A thick and shapeless tree trunk would never believe that it could become a statue, admired as a miracle of sculpture, and would never submit itself to the chisel of the sculptor, who sees by her genius what she can make of it.

–St. Ignatius

I’ve served in a lot of different contexts, and today (Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Christian liturgical season of Lent)  is almost always preached / practiced as a day to start another self-improvement project. The discernment process goes something like this: 

“I know I’d feel better (or, at least I think I would) if I _________ “…

(Frequent responses include: quit drinking alcohol / eating red meat / etc., OR spent more time praying / exercising / etc. OR I don’t really understand this anyway, so I’m going to mimic others and do what my congregation / friend group / childhood teachers say is “right”.) 

And so, we commit to whatever “that” is as our Lenten practice (usually to burn out / “fall off the wagon” a few weeks in. What’s even worse is that if we DO succeed in “perfectly” sticking to our commitment, we don’t really have anything to show for it by Easter except for the pride of our own determination and  righteousness. 

Dear friend, this is the WRONG way to go about it, and just keeps us trapped in the very cycle that Spirit invites us to be freed from.

This is true whether you’re “giving up” or “taking on” something…it's all misplaced because it assumes that WE can direct our journey to wholeness and healing. That is, that our EGO (the part of us that wants to keep us safe, and liked, and good, and successful…) is qualified to decide what our next step in our spiritual journey should be.  And if the ego is driving, we will NEVER get to the beautiful destination where Spirit beckons us.

Instead, Lent is intended to be the season where we begin again in our RELATIONSHIP with Spirit. This allows SPIRIT, along the journey to show us (1) where we find it natural to be in right relationship with God and (2) what things tend to threaten to distract, scare, or lure us away from that path. 

(This is the whole point of the season; to commit to a journey, a relationship with Spirit that will reveal  these things. To pretend that we have the “answers” or know the outcome before we even ask the question / take the journey  is ludicrous, misplaced, and dare I say, sinful) 

THEN (and only then), we can engage in an honest dialogue - at the deepest core of our spirit - giving thanks for the ways we and God have already grown in relationship, and gently opening ourselves to the immense love and peace that allows the rest to fall away. 

This is the only way. 

You see, Ego will never be willing to show us the Truth that Spirit will; its too afraid. And it’s not its job. 

Plus, who really wants to deprive themselves of something delicious like chocolate or champagne, or crowd their schedules with more “to-dos”, when those self-imposed restraints might not even be (probably aren’t) the things we really need?! 

So here’s my invitation: 

If you’ve determined your Lenten practice already, lovingly and respectfully set it aside. If you want, ritualize it by thanking your ego for doing the very best it knows, and for trying to protect you and keep you safe. We’ll need its energy later; we just gave it the wrong assignment for now (sorry, Ego, I know that was a lot of work).

-OR-

If Ash Wednesday has crept up on you and / or you’ve been avoiding entering into this season with intentionality because it's all just so confusing, know that you’re not too late. This is simpler and more profound than you think.

Take a deep breath. You’re exactly where you need to be.

Soften your belly. For real…you’re exactly where you need to be. And there is so much freedom in letting Spirit lead. You don’t have to be in charge of this (isn't’ that great?!).

For these next few days, this is your prayer / matra (from Fr. Richard Rohr /  the Irish Jesuits): 

God, give me the desire to desire what you want me to desire…give me the desire to desire what you want me to desire… 

(you know, it’s like wanting to want to work out… or is that just me?)

–and–

I ask for the grace to let myself be shaped by my loving Creator…I ask for the grace to let myself be shaped by my loving Creator…

Go lightly, my friends. 

Gently. 

Easy. 

This is the opposite of “another thing I have to accomplish.” This is a letting go, a conscious resting in Immense LOVE That Is Already Present, Available, and Accessible for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. 

What does it take to get such eyes and such ears? Fear not. Come along. I (well, really Spirit’s) got you.

In Love,

Alison

PS - I always love hearing from you and the opportunity to bear witness to your journey. You can reach me at alison@alisonyoung.co and I will respond as promptly as possible, volume pending (usually within 24 hours).