“You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working, and just so, you learn to love by loving. All those who think to learn in any other way deceive themselves.” ~ St. Francis de Sales
I could say that I am going to make a very elaborate dinner or bake a magnificent cake or run a marathon or ride a new bike trail. However, if all I do is say those things, the outcomes will never happen. There will be no meal, there will be no cake, there will be no run or bike ride. There will be nothing but talk and empty action.
That is what happens at Lent for many people. They talk the best Lent possible. They are going to give up vices. They are going to visit church on a regular basis. They are going to go to an additional Mass during the week. They are going to spend quality time with family or friends. They are going to spend quality time with God in prayer. But, what happens? Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Zero.
It is extremely ignorant on our part to think, even for a micro-second, that we are fooling God by making some of the Lenten promises that we make. Just like any of our human friends, our God knows when we are merely flapping our gums but not really meaning what we say.
My friends, the only way to get holy is to be holy. If we say that we want to be holy but we wantonly sin, we do not want to be holy. If we say we want to be closer to God but we do not make time for Him, we do not want to be closer to God. If we say that we want to love as Jesus loves but do not show care and concern for those around us, well, you get my point.
Lent began a week ago. Some of us made magnificent promises. But, did we mean them? Are they achievable? Do we, perhaps, need to modify them so that our Lent could be productive? It’s never too late until it’s too late. Today, however, is not too late. You are still alive. You can still amend your resolutions. You can still be holy. Learn by doing.
FAITH ACTION: Live completely and love boldly today, just as Jesus has taught us to do.