You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you. Song of Solomon 4:7
“You can see that a city is prosperous by the wealth of goods for sale in the market. Land too we call prosperous if it bears rich fruit. And so also the soul may be counted prosperous if it is full of good works of every kind.
But first of all it has to be farmed energetically. Then it must be watered by abundant streams for heavenly grace for it to bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, and some hundredfold. The soul only acquires goodness and the capacity of fulfilling its duties if it has the grace of God.
On the other hand, what is uglier or more disgusting than a soul given over to base passions? Look at the hot-headed person: he is like a wild beast. Consider the slave of lust or gluttony: who can bear the sight of him? Pity the victim of melancholy whose spirit is totally prostrated.
It is for us to seek to acquire beauty, so that the Bridegroom, the Word, may welcome us into his presence and say, ‘You are utterly fair, my love, and there is no flaw in you.’
Basil of Caesarea (330-379) in Commentary on the Psalms 29, 5 (PG29, 316) in Drinking from the Hidden Fountain: A Patristic Breviary, Ancient Wisdom for Today’s World, ed. by Thomas Spidlik (Kalamazoo: Cistercian, 1994) 110.
Lent is a season when we energetically farm and water our souls with the grace of God to acquire beauty. We want to become the Bride that Christ desires that is full of good works. So what will Lent look like for you?
Today is commonly known as Fat Tuesday, the day of indulgence that precedes Ash Wednesday and the start of the 40 day fast. Indulge on this today, that is, the notion that Jesus wants us to indulge on the Word.
It transforms us from becoming ugly victims of our own lusts into beautiful souls full of goodness. To grow in compassion, perhaps feast on Scriptures this Lent linked to God’s love for us, so He makes us more compassionate.
As I teach African seminary leaders in Cairo (pictured above) on generosity in contrast to prosperity in the Gospels today, I am already seeing God work in them. Our compassionate God will transform some to bear fruit thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, and some hundredfold.
He desires that His grace turns us into people who, as Basil puts it, are “full of good works of every kind.” The beauty we acquire is not for ourselves but for reflecting His goodness to the world.
God, make us beautiful reflectors this Lent we pray. Amen.