Archbishop Fulton Sheen provides the following insight into human nature in his writing: “The true view of human nature lies somewhere in between two extremes: absolute goodness and total depravity – between optimism and pessimism. Your experience tells you that you are not a saint, but it also tells you that you are not a devil. The tendency toward evil in you is not an irremediable flaw, but an accident that can be controlled.
“You feel like a fish on top of the Empire State Building; somehow or other you are outside of your environment. You cannot swim back, but Someone could put you back.
“When you buy an automobile, the manufacturer gives you a set of instructions: the pressure to which you ought to inflate your tires; the kind of oil you ought to use; and the proper fuel to put in the gas tank. He has nothing against you by giving you these instructions, as God has nothing against you in giving you commandments. The manufacturer wants to be helpful; he is anxious that you get the maximum utility out of the car. And God is anxious that we get the maximum happiness out of life.”
Such is the purpose of Lent.
In following a rule of life during this season of Lent, holy Mother Church is providing instructions for us to perform at the optimal spiritual level that we were designed for. In being truly penitent, committing ourselves to deeper devotion in our prayer and worship of Almighty God, by the disciplines of self-denial, through acts of charity toward others, and in a willingness to journey to Calvary, we are finding that Someone – God – is restoring us to fullness of life. With that fullness of life comes a greater joy and happiness, because these spiritual disciplines are God’s way of putting us back into the water of life.
Let this Lenten season be a time of renewal for you. I encourage you to commit yourself to include in your rule of life any one or more of the following: attendance at the Wednesday evening Mass, supper and class; Friday Stations of the Cross; Tuesday morning prayer at the Day School; volunteering at Randy Sams Outreach Shelter, or another not-for-profit organization; fasting; making use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation; participating in Sunday morning Christian education; recitation of the Daily Offices from the Book of Common Prayer – here is an online link,
https://www.missionstclare.com/english/, or contact me to help you develop a Lenten rule of life which works best for you. (
Editor's Note: There is also a Mission St. Clare app for the Iphone).
We know we belong to God and our hearts long for Him, even ache for Him, but like the instruction manual for our cars we put off following the prescribe maintenance schedule because we are distracted. We hope that we could just run a little bit longer and get that extra mile out of running our lives our way instead of what the Manufacturer suggests for our optimal spiritual performance.
Let this Lent at Saint James’ Church be the place where you and I enter more deeply into the mysteries of how the Father has restored us through the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
With my prayers for each of you in keeping a holy Lent, I remain yours