Lenten Reflections on Overcoming Vice in the Traditional Catholic Faith
Summary of Headings
- Introduction to Lent and Overcoming Vice
- The Purpose of Our Existence
- St. Paul's Admonition and Living as Children of Light
- The Battle Against Worldly Distractions
- Striving for Perfect Contrition
- Daily Practices for Spiritual Growth
- The Role of Silence and the Holy Mass
- The Example of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Introduction to Lent and Overcoming Vice
During this time of Lent, of course, the main focus at the beginning is simply trying to eliminate certain vices. This is what the time before Lent was for, to kind of re-examine our conscience, to figure out what our dominant fault is, to figure out what it is we're doing wrong. And to figure out how we can do better. And to come up with resolutions, penances, whatever it takes for us to be able to divide ourselves, walk away from these vices, these things that hold us down, the things that bind us to this earth or to this life. Or to look for joy in this world and not in the next. These are the things that we are trying to eliminate in Lent.
The Purpose of Our Existence
We are born to be children of God. We are born to be children of God. We are born to be saints. We are created so that we can be eternally happy with Him in heaven. This is why we exist. But unfortunately, we lose sight of that for any number of reasons. Of course, it all boils down to original sin. It's our inheritance. Our intellect is darkened. Our will is weakened. We have an attraction toward evil doing. We have all of these things as part of who we are.
St. Paul's Admonition and Living as Children of Light
And so it is going to be our lifelong quest to be able to realign ourselves. To be where we should be. To become saints rather than be born saints. To break ourselves of bad habits. And to try to avoid forging them new. Making them new. To try to supplement our lives with the practice of virtue. To try to live grace and not just simply have it. These are the things that we are called to do. These are the things that are binding us.
The Battle Against Worldly Distractions
And these are the things that we are failing so completely at. So many times throughout our lives. And yes, while we're going through Lent, it's easy for us to kind of reflect a little bit and see, I haven't been as true to my resolutions as I had intended. There are days where I failed to do my penance. There are moments where I failed to remind myself of what I was supposed to do. And those are the moments where we have to bring ourselves to the Lord. And bring ourselves back to why we are doing this.
Striving for Perfect Contrition
Because as St. Paul points out, it's not enough simply that we don't actually commit certain faults. It's not enough that we are not behaving like the rest of the world. We cannot be like the rest of the world within our souls. Not just in simple material action, but in the core of who we are. We cannot participate in the things that are of this world.
Daily Practices for Spiritual Growth
That is why he mentions these things. Let them not even be mentioned among us. Now obviously, it's not a question of ignoring that they exist. It's a question more of the fact that we should be so completely above and beyond all of the scurrilous remarks. All of the antagonism. All of the impurity. All of the things that he described in his epistle. We should be so completely above all of that, that they have no place among us. In our entire community.
The Role of Silence and the Holy Mass
Because we were of darkness, but now we are of light. We are not creatures just of this world. We are bound to heaven, and that is our home. And so that is where we must set our sights. We are God's children. We belong to Him. We share His nature. This world is just simply the path for us to achieve. Eternal life. That is the only purpose for which it exists.
The Example of the Blessed Virgin Mary
So therefore, the sum total of our life must be geared and entirely engineered toward our salvation. Every good thing, every bad thing. Every suffering, every blessing. Every sickness, every everything. Anything that we go through must be at the service of the salvation of our souls. And at the service of God Himself. And that is the battle that our Lord speaks of today in the Gospel.
Conclusion
In this homily, the speaker emphasizes the importance of Lent as a time for self-reflection and overcoming personal vices. Catholics are encouraged to focus on their ultimate purpose of becoming saints and growing in love for God above all things. Through daily practices such as morning offerings and examinations of conscience, the faithful are called to transform their lives and align them with the will of God.
The message is further enriched by drawing on the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary's Fiat, a model of perfect love and obedience. By striving for perfect contrition and dedicating every aspect of life to God's service, Catholics can deepen their spiritual life and prepare for eternal happiness in heaven.