Perhaps because of our Triune God, a lot of things both religious and secular seem to be explained or expressed in threes.
Catholic examples include signing ourselves “in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit;” Jesus’ emphasis on the importance of prayer, fasting and almsgiving; the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity; the baptismal graces of priest, prophet and king. Then there are some sporty trifectas like a triple-double in basketball or a hat-trick in hockey, soccer or cricket. Our culture gives us a superstitious, yet enduring, idea that we’d all like to forget: “bad luck comes in threes.”
Let’s stick with the three transcendentals of our God — goodness, beauty and truth — as a Lenten lesson. Catholic Watchmen know and understand that if we are to follow Jesus’ example and lead others to these heavenly attributes, we must be leaders in prayer, fasting and self-gift (i.e., almsgiving). We can start at home with our families. We can look at Lent as an opportunity to revitalize the sacramental life of our family with these three spiritual activities. Lent is an opportunity to practice these humble highlights internally, externally and prudently — body, soul and heart — even if it seems repetitive and redundant.
First, the humble highlight of prayer. We are given ample opportunities in community or privately to pray. The Mass is the highest prayer of the Church. In the quiet of adoration, we can encounter Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, bringing us closer to God during the Lenten season and beyond. Habitually establishing a weekly time with Jesus at adoration can help us collect our thoughts, consider our actions, or simply rest in him, gazing upon him.
I hear time and again from fellow Christian brothers and sisters how at Mass and at adoration they experience the closeness of our Lord, unveiled and revealed to them supernaturally as heaven and earth meet. Take advantage of this! Hidden in the tabernacle or presented in the Blessed Sacrament on the altar, Jesus is truly, substantially and really with us.
Lent also gives us the opportunity to work on the fundamental highlight of fasting. Fasting teaches us that we can do without some of the worldly things in life. By casting out demons of attachment in our lives, we are strengthened in holiness. Humility in fasting tells our heart, body and soul to keep looking good and not complain while we’re at it. “But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden and your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you” (Mt 6:17). Of course, God’s generosity cannot be outdone — current research even shows that fasting (from food) prudently and regularly is healthy and boosts our natural immunity.
Humble highlight number three is to give more of ourselves through almsgiving to those in our lives who have simple and complex needs. This includes sound works of spiritual and corporal mercy, a weekly Catholic Watchmen discipline. There is also the charitable allocation of our time, talent and treasure as we carve out of our own resources for the sake of others. This is how we give alms.
By living these humble highlights we teach our family members, friends and neighbors to move into the light of Christ with us. We are called to bring his light to those in darkness “where it gives light to all in the house” (Mt 5:15). The house is our homes, parishes, small groups and the greater community. Lent provides the time for us to establish the fundamentals of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We can live the virtues that help us work through the current cultural challenges. Living these humble highlights can transform the culture, bringing people to the light of Christ.
Deacon Bird ministers to St. Joseph in Rosemount and All Saints in Lakeville and assists with the archdiocesan Catholic Watchmen movement. See heroicmen.com for existing tools supported by the archdiocese to enrich parish apostolates for ministry to men. For Watchmen start-up materials or any other questions regarding ministry to men, contact him at gordonbird@rocketmail.com.
