March 25, 2007

    We have already treaded through four full weeks of Lent.  Those of us who have given up something dear to our “heart” such as chocolate, coffee, our favorite dessert, etc. are probably looking forward to the end of this season with great anticipation.  Perhaps you just can’t wait for Easter so you can indulge in your favorite habit.  Although making such sacrifices during Lent is certainly a good practice because it often proves to us that we do not need these things as much as we thought, simply because  God is always there for us, nonetheless, there is more to Lent than these practices.

    Lent is about Conversion.  Another way of saying that is that we need to regain our inner ‘Balance’.  Sometimes we hear the expression, “that person is not well balanced.”.  This expression is often used in relation to emotional imbalance.  In reality, however, not being well balanced is something that most people suffer from.  This is not to say that most people are emotionally unbalanced.  Rather, it means that it is our goal in life to attain and maintain a good healthy balance on all levels, be it physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually.  Experiencing Conversion is directly related to spiritual balance.   What exactly does this mean? 

    Being spiritually well-balanced relates to the balance between our actions and the disposition of our hearts.  The definition of the word heart in this case mean ‘the core of our
being’. It is important to maintain a good balance in our spiritual life because it affects every other aspect of our life.  If our core is off balance we feel uneasy, unhappy, unfulfilled, even physically ill.  We spend a lot of time and energy attempting to “fix” ourselves or satisfying ourselves.  We use such tactics as rationalization to convince ourselves that we are on the right road.  We visit doctors and therapists to help us regain our equilibrium.  We read self-help books. We try everything except what we really need to do.

    When we are spiritually off balance we need to look at our inner garden.  What is really going on inside?  What is really growin there?  Are we trying to be good on the outside while entertaining anger, resentment, greed, or hatred on the inside?  Are we honest even to ourselves about our real feelings?  Do we excuse our negative thoughts and feelings by thinking that we are not responsible for them.  We like thinking that we have good reason to entertain anger or hatred but do we really?  Is there ever a good reason to harbor such negative thoughts and feelings?

    Lent is a good time to stop and reflect on our personal situation vis-a-vie our spiritual life. Receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a perfect way of settling the imbalance within.  When we go to Confession we are forced to examine ourselves, our habits, our thoughts, and ill feelings.  Before we can come to the point of being sorry, we must do some serious thinking and praying.   We must come to grips with the truth of the matter.  Hiding the truth from ourselves does us no good.   If we can admit our turning away from God in whatever fashion we have done so, we will regain our balance, our health, our happiness, our peace.  Life becomes whole again.

    If we have not taken the steps toward regaining our spiritual balance, perhaps the next two weeks would be a good time to do so.  Then we could truly celebrate New Life at Easter!
                                Lorette P. Nault