Archbishop of Sydney

Lent

By + George Pell
ARCHBISHOP OF SYDNEY
17 February 2002

It is like spring cleaning a house, a special once a year programme of self examination, of intensive training to purify our hearts. We strive to see more clearly and build up the strength to practise what we profess.

Traditionally it is a time for prayer, for self denial especially through fasting from food and almsgiving, opening our wallets for the poor. Being generous and doing penance are external activities, but they are spiritually important when they impinge on our souls, make us better persons, more able to struggle, towards a deeper faith, more generous towards others and more able to control and limit our selfishness.

The gospels tell us that Jesus himself fasted in the desert for 40 days, a practice also of the spiritual giants of the Old Testament such as Moses and Elijah.

The first Christians followed Christ's example in a very strict way, so that during Lent only one meal a day was allowed towards evening, with no meat, fish or eggs. In those days life was much shorter, with life expectancy of about 35 to 40 years, medicine was rudimentary, but the survivors were physically much tougher than most of us. Life was hard and they had to cope.

Over the centuries the Lenten discipline relaxed. By the 9th century they were able to eat at three o'clock in the afternoon and from the 15th century one could have a meal at noon and even something more in the evening.

One of my great grandmothers, a strong Irish Australian Catholic, used to fast on black tea with bread and dripping on every Friday in Lent. But this was 100 years ago.

In my childhood everyone was urged to make some Lenten sacrifice, often to give up lollies. The less heroic might only give up chocolates and a can remember sitting poised, with a box of chocolates on my knees, waiting for the fast to end at midday on Holy Saturday (the day before Easter Sunday).

Similar practices are still encouraged today with the penances, often tied in with efforts to help the poor overseas through Project Compassion. Families might go without sweets once or twice a week, or have a simple rice meal on Friday, while the money saved (even from unpurchased lollies) is donated for relief and development projects. To cut down or eliminate our alcohol intake in Lent is another ancient practice; but never a universal one! This is usually good for the body as well as the soul.

Many people fast and do penance today, but for non-religious reasons and under other names. We call it dieting and keeping fit or taking exercise. Both can be hard work. Has anyone ever seen a smiling jogger? This reflects our society's changing priorities, as many more are concerned with their body than their soul, with their physical health than with purity of heart and eternal life.

Lent should help us pause and pray, think of higher things, make us fitter for spiritual struggle. A suspect it would be helpful even for people who aren't religious.