Perseverance

Quote from Catherine:

Perseverance is a constant exercise of self-denial, and, as such
serves to keep the body in subjection to the spirit.

Today is Ash Wednesday. I'm looking at what I want to do during this Lenten season to become more in harmony with God and to be better able to put on Christ at every moment and incident that happens in my day.

I am looking at the traditional means of looking at Lent, knowing if I can do it for 40 days it can become a habit that I can continue.

First of all fasting... what do I need to fast in order to be more Christ like?
Is it sarcasm, impatience, negative comments...Is it food that makes me not be healthy enough to have the energy to do the Lord's work? Is it somthing that distracts me from prayer-TV, books I read, sudoku, talking instead of cultivating a more comtemplative stance?

Second, prayer... Do I need to spend more time in prayer? Go to Mass more often? Try some of the local devotions to get a sense again of the traditions in which we are steeped? Spend more time personally in prayer, do more spiritual reading?

Alms giving... Where do I spend money? Do I need to fast from spending for myself during these 40 days? What could I give to this Lent? How about the rice bowl? Or is it time to clean out my closet and get rid of stuff? And what about all those knick knacks, those mugs I've collected?

What could you be doing, to persevere in subjecting the body (my comfort, instant pleasure) to the spiritual dimension of you life?

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