If doing the same things are reinforcing bad habits, we need to choose to act in a different way
To make something different, a person has to choose a different way of acting. Following the same routines will only produce and reinforce what is already happening. If we live exactly how Jesus asks us to, then there is no need to change. But if we need some improvement in behavior and commitment, we need to do something different.
Every year, the first Sunday of Lent includes the same Gospel story. One of the three synoptic Gospels offers us the story of the temptation of Jesus in the desert. This marks the first week of our commitment in preparation for the incredible celebration of the living, dying and rising of Jesus Christ. It seems as if we should be doing something that would cause us to act and choose in a better way than we are right now. Why continue to do the same things if it will simply reinforce bad habits?
Lent allows us to practice better habits of self-discipline and generosity so that when we celebrate Easter, we have solidified a better pattern of behavior than we had before this season started.
As we reexperience Jesus being tempted in the desert, we know of various ways that each of us is tempted. Sometimes, a desert experience is the only way to become vividly aware that temptation is operative in our lives.
Might the material things of our world tempt us? Is our security based on money, food, clothing or other things that quickly pass away? What might we be able to do during this season to concentrate on that area of temptation and form some better habits?
Does the allurement of power tempt us? Do we still believe that we control anything more than our own life? Do we still try to control other people’s lives or make them live how we think they should?
How are we doing depending on God’s grace, as opposed to going to God only when things get really bad?
What is the level of gratitude as opposed to the level of entitlement in our mind and heart?
What temptation can we acknowledge and then practice a habit of voluntary self-emptying?
Are we ever tempted to try to act like God or even pretend that we are God? Are we aware that sometimes we act like this world is ours and everything is about us?
Do we still get angry when life doesn’t go our way or when other people have the audacity to disagree with us?
What might we be able to do during Lent that allows us to experience our position as a creature rather than a Creator?
For those reading this before Ash Wednesday, might we be able to consider a more radical way of living this season in preparation for Easter? What will allow us to be more rooted in the truth of the Gospel and be a more visible sign of commitment to Jesus Christ? Reexamine whether giving up beer, chocolate or other practices radically opens us up to a deeper way of living.
How about a 40-day fast from unnecessary use of the Internet? How about setting aside a trashy novel and reading one of the spiritual classics? How about moving out of your comfort zone and choosing to do something Jesus asks us to do but we’ve always been afraid to try?
Is there enough living and dying in your life to experience a real resurrection?
Father Donald Wester is retired and serves as lecturer of homiletics at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.
