Lenten Reflections: Lenten Lapses

Last updated on: March 24, 2010 at 10:20 am by Amy Julia Becker

Lenten Reflections: Lenten Lapses 2010-03-24T10:20:00-04:00 Amy Julia Becker

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

On Ash Wednesday, we knew that March would bring with it vacation. Nearly two weeks of vacation, in fact. A week in Virginia with old friends, and then a long weekend in California. And on Ash Wednesday, we made the decision to abstain from alcohol as a Lenten discipline, including those vacation days in March.

But then, in Virginia, our friends (a pastor and his wife) suggested that we see our time together as an extended Sabbath celebration. Sounded good to me, and those glasses of wine did enhance our time. Then there was California. And honestly, for four days away from our children, four days of sunshine and runs on the beach and hiking along cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean and sumptuous food and sleeping in… Honestly, I just wanted a margarita. And honestly, it tasted great.

So is this just an act of narcissistic confession? I hope not. The thing is, whether or not I abide by a Lenten discipline in and of itself matters very little. At any time of year, I should be careful about my alcohol consumption. At any time of year, God extends grace and offers freedom, not rule-keeping, in these types of decisions. At any time of year, I need to differentiate between hedonism and pleasure, between self-indulgence and gratitude for the goodness of God’s material creation.

It was C.S. Lewis who wrote, “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

Was I far too easily pleased?

These weeks leading up to Easter provide an opportunity to participate, ever so slightly, in the self-denial Jesus demonstrated in his life and ministry and on the cross. It’s quite a stretch to say that not drinking a glass of wine compares to Jesus’ suffering. But perhaps it prepares me to acknowledge the extent of his sacrifice. And when I fail in this self-imposed discipline, when I recognize how quickly I turn to half-hearted pleasures, perhaps I will also recognize how quickly he comes to me, with an invitation to live in the presence of the Spirit, to know fullness of life. How quickly he comes, with an invitation to share in his suffering, to share in his joy.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

March 23, 2010

What does God have to say about disability?

Next Post

March 26, 2010 My Sister's Name is Doha

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Articles Books Disability Down Syndrome Faith family Perfectly Human Uncategorized

Select a Month February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 September 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz