Zeal for Lent

We are in the middle of Lent now and it is time to persevere in faith. It’s really at this time that we ought to take the disposition of kneeling at the feet of Jesus. It is there that we will find the supernatural strength to go on. When we start to grow tired of our fast, it is the Lord who will help us to foster zeal to go on. It is true that to persevere we are going to need to have passion for what we are striving for. This is zeal!

I read in a little Lent booklet years ago that fostering zeal can take place in two ways:

1. By trying a new spiritual step or
2. By doing an old step in a new way. Possibly deeper, more boldly, and in longer form. 

At this point in Lent, if you are growing weary, you need to do something bold!

For prayer, you can think of it as snatching souls from hell. It isn’t about us. It’s about uniting our suffering to the suffering of Jesus, saving others, and pleasing him greatly.

For fasting, you can try eating only sardines on Wednesdays and Fridays. The Keep Fasting Alumni Group is doing this now, and it reminds us of our poverty and satiates us at the same time breaking the tediousness of fasting days. But remaining simple, easy, and charitable.

For almsgiving, you can volunteer at a new organization. Take the extra step and do something you’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t. Give extra this week by paying for a family behind you at the grocery store.

These things will break the monotony of Lent and open you up to the perseverance needed to make it to Easter morning. Remember, it is all for the glory of God!

Fr. Carney says in his devotional, Holy Face of Jesus, that:

“zeal should be disinterested. Avoiding appropriating to self what belongs to God. It is like the hunting dog that retrieves the bird and eats it for itself. The owner rightly gives it a severe beating. We should avoid the trap of doing good only the way we want.” He continues, “zeal is humble and meek, snatching souls from hell, likening our souls to the sweetness of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Saints uniting us to our Lord.”

Keep fasting my friends! Souls are counting on you.