Homily

In our reading from Genesis, we hear that Abram waited in the night and was eventually promised a covenant which included descendants and numerous a the stars. Darkness was terrifying to Abram to most people in those days. The Psalms affirm that idea in the phrase that the “Lord is my light and my salvation.” Darkness, the stars, and even God himself were mostly unknowns to people in Abram’s day and even for his descendants. Often, what we do not know, we fear. I can imagine the initial confusion over the experience of the Transfiguration by the Peter, James, and John. I can imagine that there may have even been some fear. Yet, in all these events, God is made present. God shows something of himself through perceivable signs. But, as we know, many of us miss it or choose our own way. We don’t recognize God and his way is still shrouded to us. Many of us want to do God’s will, but struggle to discern what voice is his amidst the din of voices in our world.

During Lent, we are being challenged to pray, fast, and give alms. Why? The reason is the purpose of our faith: to love God and neighbor in the person of Jesus Christ. St. Paul offers us one of the common obstacles to such a life: making God our stomach. In other words, we are all tempted to feed ourselves and to make consummation our singular goal. The reality is that we are created by God and consummation is the way we relate to our world and even to God. What do I mean? Consummation is not a bad thing in of itself. From the moment we are born, we are always putting things in our mouths. We see a food we love, and we want to consume it. Even on the wedding night, the gift of bride and groom we call consummating their marriage. But, the problem comes when consummation becomes the god and not the way to God. We confuse the gift with the giver. St. Paul reminds us that we struggle with the things of earth, but are ultimately made for heaven. Our world is dead-set to make our stomach, our desire for consummation, our God. St. Paul tells us that such a confusion will end in destruction.

Lent is a time for a renewal of our heart, mind, and body. By participating in the disciplines of prayer, fasting, and alms-giving, we can be refocused by God’s grace to set our lives towards God. What are those hungers that tempt you to idolatry? Is it overeating? Alcohol? Possessions? Gossip-TV? Being a rebel? Laziness? Pornography? Ego? The desire to please everyone? Perfectionism? Fear of being wrong? The need to be right? Envy? Jealousy? Our restlessness to consume is part of our nature. But, we have the answer in St. Augustine’s Confessions: “you have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you you” (Lib 1,1-2,2.5,5: CSEL 33, 1-5).

So fast from overeating. Stop becoming drunk. Don’t let your possessions possess you. Turn off the TV. Mute the commercials. Try listening and obeying. Get off your couch and do something. Guard your heart from the prostitution of your libido. Be yourself. Make a mistake. Fear not. Enjoy others’ triumphs. Turn your hunger towards God and let him fill you up. Then this Lent will be unlike any you’ve ever experienced. Through God’s grace, your lowly body can be confirmed to his glorified body, and you too, will be able to put your faith in God who will credit to you as an act of righteousness.