“Remember, you are dust…” [4]

I fasted on Ash Wednesday… I WIN!!!

[The Pelagian Side of Lent]

I dislike fasting SOOOO much. ACK!!!  I just don’t like feeling hungry or being consumed with thoughts about when I can eat next.  But I DID IT!  I WIN!!!

So, what did I learn about my one day approach to Lent?   It used to look like this for me: I compete with my urges/compulsions (chocolate, alcohol, sex, TV, internet usage, prayer, whatever…) to control them, to win over them, thus proving my worth to God.  (That sums up the popular notion of Pelagianism: I WIN over my drives.)

Typically, these victories would last maybe 2 – 2 ½ weeks, then I’d spend the rest of Lent trying to get back into my state of good intention… and failing at that but winning by feeling guilty about it all.

Now I can go back to Lent & mortality… “Remember you are dust…” to be taught by it all. –roc,sj

Here’s another theme song for Lent by John Foley, SJ:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAZhIw49ULc&list=PLJ1E6TNq_-egpSJyow7PjqExP2YuzfWAY&index=10