In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
“Dost thou complain and ask how shall a man behave who is despoiled and cut loose from self and from all things else? Shall he stay waiting perpetually for God’s action? Or shall he do some things that belong to a devout life — pray, fast, watch at night, read pious books — as long as he takes nothing from without, but all from God, who is within him? If a man does nothing, is he not a sluggard? Mark my answer: He must by no means neglect outward works, for those are commanded of him for the sake of good order; they lead him to God in a spiritual life. and they are for praiseworthy ends. Good works hinder his slipping downward into an irregular way of living, and, as they become habitual, they guard him from straying into eccentricities. By such means does God prepare him for His more interior life, hindering him from that grossness of life which He cannot tolerate.”
Johannes Tauler (c. 1300-1361) in his sermon “The Holy Trinity in the Soul’s Essence” in The Sermons and Conferences of John Tauler (Washington D.C.: Apostolic Mission House, 1910) 93-94
We are both in the “dog days” of winter in Colorado (more snow this weekend, pictured above). No Spring anytime soon. We are also in the “dog days” of Lent as Ash Wednesday (6 March 2019) was a while ago and Easter (21 April 2019) is still afar off.
The good news is that today marks the fourth feast day of Lent, so only three weeks of until the seventh feast day, which is Easter. Remind those around you to feast today on whatever they were fasting from. The seven Sundays are not part of the 40 days of Lent.
Something happens to us as we pray, fast, and give alms in Lent. In the words of Tauler, hopefully, these disciplines “become habitual.” They shape us into different people. For example, I have so enjoyed reading a Psalm at the divine hours, I will likely continue that after Lent.
What will you continue after Lent? Will you remain “despoiled and cut loose” from self? Will you continue the “outward works” which lead you “to God in a spiritual life.” Think about it for a few minutes on this Lord’s day. Contemplate life after Lent.
What good works will continue? Or will “grossness of life” prevail? Sadly, when we don’t choose the former path, our flesh chooses the latter and the result is neither pretty nor does it exhibit Christian generosity. Take five minutes to ponder life after Lent today.