 During Communion at Mass recently, I observed a small child accompanying her parents as they came forward to receive. Her mother received the Eucharist first, and as she did, the little child knelt beside her. Then as her mother walked away from the priest, the child broke free and returned to where her father was kneeling to receive the Eucharist. The little girl knelt a second time, looking up at the priest with something one might describe as awe. The scene was quite moving because it seemed that in her innocence this child may have understood that something sacred and beautiful was going on. But what struck me the most was that she knelt twice, imitating her parents both times. It drove home the point that children do watch and they do imitate their parents. It was evident that these parents are teaching her about the faith, but also that in living what they teach, the child has begun to make their faith her own. If we act according to what we teach, as these parents exemplify, our words can take root in those who seek and therefore observe. Conversely, we can attempt to teach with our words all we want, but if we do not live what we profess, our words become hollow, affecting nothing. In keeping with what Jesus taught in the Parable of the Sower, it is clear that even the good ground where the seed has fallen needs to be watered. (Matthew 13:1-9)  Jesus also said that we need to become as little children. That means that we are to act according to how He acted with the trust, openness, and simplicity of a little child. There have been many great saints who had no formal education, but lived the Gospels so obviously that many were touched by their actions and therefore, grew in their own faith or understanding of God. An excellent example is St. Bernadette. She did not attend regular schooling, and she was intellectually a slow learner, but because her (extended) family taught her the essential prayers and the basics of the faith, and humbly lived by these things, Bernadette was able to grow in her spiritual life.* It was because of her simple faith and her practice of praying the Rosary, that she was able to recognize the Virgin Mary when she appeared to her. Bernadette was so unlearned theologically, that when Mary told her that she was the Immaculate Conception, Bernadette repeated it to her parish priest, but admitted she had no idea what it meant! The ‘fertile ground’ of her faith was watered by her family; even though they were humble and desperately poor, their words and deeds were in accordance with one another, and it opened her to growth in faith, hope, and love.  If we are to be like little children with the fertile ground of faith, we must spend time ‘observing’ Jesus by reading and reflecting upon the Gospels as well as spending adequate time with Him in private prayer. While all the Gospels are excellent sources, let us look to Matthew. In his Gospel, each of the discourses of Jesus outline Christian behaviors. In the first, the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught that we should be like salt and light: our behaviors are to be like light which “must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” (Mt 5:16) Jesus indicated how we should handle anger (offering forgiveness), live in marriage (with fidelity), speak (without oaths), give alms and pray, (simply and humbly, without bringing attention to ourselves), and how we are to fast (we do not do it to impress others.) In the second discourse He taught how disciples should act (Mt 10); in the third He offered parables about the Kingdom of God, outlining what is needed to work toward building it (Mt 13); in the fourth Jesus taught about humility and forgiveness (Mt 18); and in the final discourse He taught about being prepared for His second coming and final judgment, emphasizing the necessity of generosity and love. (Mt 25) **  The season of Lent calls us to become more attentive to growth in our relationship with God, relying on the assistance of the Holy Spirit as we seek to deepen the level of our discipleship and love. It is by immersing ourselves in sacrifice and penance that we come to clearer understanding of these things; it is during our prayer time, Lenten practices, fasting (sacrifices), and almsgiving that we can learn how to love more as Jesus loves, and by our example, invite others to meet the Lord in a deeper way, or for some, to meet Jesus for the first time. It is through sacrifice aimed at taming our sinful tendencies (with the help of the Holy Spirit), that we work at authentically living as His followers, influencing others to desire this, too. We must keep in mind that what we are seeking is interior growth; if we only look at the penances and added prayer/reflection as a 7-week exercise, (as finite and short lived, or worse, something to be ‘gotten through’), then they will do us little good. But if we look to our Lenten practices as true conversion, that is, true change in heart and mind, then we open ourselves to accepting the graces offered that enable lasting growth within our souls. Therefore, this Lent let us water the ground of our souls which contains the seed planted by the Lord and in so doing, water the ground for those who observe us so that they, too, may grow in faith, hope, and love.  May our Lenten practices bear fruit! May we become more like little children in imitating the Lord! And may our prayer, sacrifices, and almsgiving water the ground where the seeds of our faith are growing so that by our example others may find hope in God, too! Let us meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!
©Michele L. Catanese * Bernadette's aunt is the one who taught her the most about her faith, instructing her in the basics of the Catechism so that Bernadette could receive Holy Communion and Confirmation. Her parents had simple faith, however. ** Indeed, all of the discourses of Jesus found in all four Gospels can be applied in this way. I suggest that we take one discourse (at a time), spending time reflecting on and praying with the meaning of His words and how we might grow in the graces we need. Only when you feel that you have gotten all you can from it should you move on to another teaching or discourse. The same can be done by meditating on any of Jesus’ parables, one at a time. It is also important to remember to act with humility while we are praying or doing whatever penances we have chosen, (that is, do not do things for others to see necessarily); what will become visible is the fruit of these actions as we grow in compassion, generosity, and love. And finally, prayer, penances, and almsgiving will be even more meaningful if we receive the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation as often as we can during Lent. Images: 1. Painting; The Sower, by Vincent van Gogh 2. Photo; St. Bernadette Soubirous 3. Painting; Jesus Teaching, by Duccio di Buoninsegna 4. My photo; Flowers blooming in Dunedin, New Zealand. 5. Charcoal drawing; Ashes. Note: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. Comments are closed.
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