On "Giving Things Up"

There are at least two possible ways to think about "giving things up" for Lent. Certainly it is sufficient to think of this as a penance, as a deprivation of a good both as a matter of self-control and a matter of a sacrifice. And I believe that Tom of Disputations has pointed out that this is highly commended by the Church (perhaps even indulgenced). So for the time of Lent we give up something in order to remember the holiness of the season and to put us into a different frame of mind to better approach God.

But another way of thinking about this practice is to consider it a rehearsal for true detachment. Think of it this way--"If I can give up chocolate for forty days, I can give it up forever." Substitute for chocolate whatever it is you have chosen to forego. In some cases the benefits could be tremendous--sweets, smoking, and alcohol come to mind. But the reason for giving them up is not the physical benefit that accrues, but a gradual shedding of those things that too firmly attach us to the goods of the world. As a true penance for Lent, I have chosen to give up the purchase of all books. In fact, I may not enter a library in the course of time. I chose this because this is perhaps my most pronounced attachment. Food, tobacco, alcohol, and other such indulgences have little sway for me. But giving up the purchase of books, for me, would be like Erik making a vow to eat only at McDonalds for the entire season.

One of the possibilities of Lent is to train ourselves in one small thing to become like St. Paul when he says, "I know how to be rich and I know how to be poor." I interpret this to mean that St. Paul was detached from things--when they were available he licitly used them and when they were unavailable he did not mourn the loss. Thus, if we could take a small step, like breaking the habit of a cup of morning coffee--gladly accepting it if we're with someone and hospitality dictates that it is appropriate, but also gladly leaving it behind when there is no such dictate--we would be on the road to detachment.

Now, what makes this possible? Certainly grace, for without His help we can do nothng but sin. But also, we need to focus less on what we are giving up and more on the reason for giving it up. Everything that occupies our attention in any way fills up space and time that could otherwise be occupied by Jesus. Thus each little thing that we can give up makes room to spend more time with Jesus. Spending time with someone increases our devotion to and love of that person. So rather than focusing on what we have deprived ourselves of, when we feel the need for it, think about Whom we are making room for. In this way, the deprivation will seem much smaller than it looms in consciousness if there is no purpose to the sacrifice. Giving things up by our own will is a laudable practice, but giving them up to make room for God in our lives is a salvific practice.

Detachment does not bloom from focusing on the things from which we must become detached. Detachment blooms from ardent love of Jesus Christ. When He is truly important in our lives, everything else is necessarily put into perspective.

So as you continue your Lenten practice, strive to think less about what you are giving up than about for Whom you are making room. Widen the spaces inside to accommodate the Lord who loves you. (And remember too that God is simple, and He cannot coexist with what is not single-hearted and single minded. He cannot dwell within us if we are divided, we too must be simple.)

With grace, work to destroy your need for things and to build your love of the One Thing Necessary. Think like a small child, for whom the greatest comfort comes not from things, but from the loving embrace of mommy or daddy. Then spend time in your Father's loving embrace.

To conclude, one of the intercessions and the conclusion from Morning Prayer:

May our hearts thirst for Christ,
the fountain of living water.

Lord,
may everything we do
begin with your inspiration,
continue with your help,
and reach perfection under your guidance.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with your and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.