Saturday In the Fifth Day of Lent

Our duty… is to set aside regular times for worship, prayer, and study of God’s ways. – The Catechism p. 847

 

As we approach Holy Week we might be inclined to think that my time of meditation, prayer, and study is about over. We start thinking about all the work that needs to be done, all the demands of the world, all the people in need and think Lent is over – I can’t afford the luxury of prayer, meditation, and study any longer.

Prayer, worship, and study are not luxuries. They are the “basics” that support our way to God. If we stop at Lent, if we stop investing time in them, at some points our spiritual growth will stop and our spirits will wither. The “basics” in sport must be practiced every day. A football player lifts weights, runs, and practices fundamental drills. A golfer spends more time on the driving range and putting green than on the course. A basketball player shoots free throws and lay-ups until his arms fall off. The concept of practicing the “basics” is critical in athletics, work, schoolwork, music, arts, just about every aspect of our practical life needs a constant return to the “basics.” Why should we think our spiritual life is any different?

Being a disciple requires us to regularly maintain our foundation if we are to reach our spiritual goals. The disciplines of study, prayer, worship,  and meditation are not luxuries to explore only during Lent or when we have some “extra time.” They form the essential infrastructure that allows us to travel the path towards God.

God, grant us the wisdom to maintain the groundwork of our spirituality.

About the author

Webb Hubbell is the former Associate Attorney General of The United States. His novels, When Men Betray, Ginger Snaps, A Game of Inches, The Eighteenth Green, and The East End are published by Beaufort Books and are available online or at your local bookstore. When Men Betray won one of the IndieFab awards for best novel in 2014. Ginger Snaps and The Eighteenth Green won the IPPY Awards Gold Medal for best suspense/thriller. His latest, “Light of Day” will be on the bookstands soon.

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