Day 2 of Lent

Well, it's not supposed to be easy, is it? *sigh* I smashed my finger yesterday moving cinder blocks. It was excruciating. I rushed to put it in ice water, and took some ibuprofen, but as I sat there shaking what I really wanted was a good swift shot of scotch. Grace: I resisted. And thank God, it is not broken, just a bad bruise.

I did my lectio last night, with the day's reading from Vigils: Isaiah 58. A reminder that Lent is not about self-denial for its own sake, but about putting social justice before personal comfort. Today's non-biblical reading, from a sermon by Saint Leo the Great (a 5th-century pope) also focuses on charitable works. I think I am too self-centered, too "me and God alone" -- well, it's the hermit tendency, isn't it? But what kind of charitable works should I do?

When I was writing out my resolutions yesterday, I addressed the problem of too much inward focus by promising to reach out to friends and relatives more, to give more to relationships I already have. But what about people who are needier than I, the poor, the sick, the imprisoned ... what about charitable works? Still thinking about it this morning, it occurred to me that I left a job paying a 6-figure income and great benefits because I did not agree with my employer's social justice philosophy or approach. I felt that we were doing too much harm and not enough good. Now I am job-hunting in the non-profit sector. Yesterday I talked with someone about a job paying about 30% of my old job, and I am hoping I get it. Isn't that my almsgiving? Giving up personal material comfort for the greater good? OK, I cut myself a break. More important for me, with my own individual faults and failings, is to give more love, more time, more attention to my own friends and family. Charity begins at home, yes? Sure.

Meanwhile, yesterday I did NOT reach out to anyone. Today I will answer MM's note, make a connection.

Lent is good. Renewal is beautiful. Blessed be God forever.