This Lent, my 16 year old son and I are working through the Ascension Lenten Companion book. I have never done this before, and I am finding that doing it with my son is a precious and wonderful experience. The book itself is good, but the conversation that it has motivated between us has been inspiring, challenging, moving and something I will really treasure.
A few days ago, the topic in the book turned to making a good confession. We have been going to weekly confession through the Lenten season, so this was a topic that we have discussed before. My son is a more active confession-goer than I am, and I recall a year or so ago when he was on his way to confession and invited me to go with him. My reaction was that I had just been there (I think it had been 6 days) – and I wasn’t sure what in the world I was going to say. My son, with both love- and also a bit of challenge- said “really? You are so holy that you haven’t sinned in the last 6 days? Maybe I can help…” He then proceeded to walk through the 10 Commandments and the Beatitudes with me, and in short order I had plenty to share at the Sacrament of Reconciliation!
In the Lenten Companion book, there are pages of potential sins to consider. My son and I read through them together. When we got to one about whether you set apart Sunday for the Lord, my son turned to me and said “that one is for you”. I am known to be a bit of a workaholic, and it is very true that it is very easy for me to slip into work on a Sunday afternoon. Just a few emails….just a little preparation for next week…just…just…just…
It is so easy to make excuses and to try to brush off sin. But he (and the Lent book, and the Good Book, and the Catechism, and the Church) are right, that keeping the Sabbath Holy is a pretty explicit command. I have talked to my priest about this in the past and he said that if work is unavoidable that is another matter, but in my case it is usually a matter of habit and convenience to work on a Sunday, not as much a necessity.
So this past Sunday I didn’t work. It felt weird and also wonderful. I did spend time in focusing on the Lord, and I also spent time in relaxation. God certainly doesn’t make mistakes, and our bodies, minds and souls do need a day that is different from the others – one that is focused on Him in a different way.
Lent is certainly a journey and an awakening. While it is always incumbent upon us to strive for holiness, this season can be so helpful in underscoring the reasons why. As Mother Angelica always said, “we are all called to be great saints, don’t miss the opportunity!”