In a recent issue of America, a young Jesuit reviewed a recently published book entitled: How To Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy. The book looks at how so much of our attention is focused on what is going on in the world and is filtered by the many technological devices that fill our lives – computers, smart phones, I-pads, tablets, radio and television all beg for our attention. So his suggestion to all of us as we begin another Lent is to answer the question “What are you doing for Lent,” with the simple statement: “I am going to do nothing for Lent.”
While the answer might be a little jarring at first, if one thinks about it for a minute, perhaps we could all benefit by do nothing for as much as ten, twenty, even thirty minutes each day during Lent. Put aside our usual preoccupations with media, with prayer books, with various spiritual exercises and simply sit with God and do nothing. It would be so different from our usual day to day routine. We might find that when we are doing nothing but sitting in God’s presence, God might have a chance to pierce the armor of all the various things that are begging for our attention. God might claim our attention during this Lent, and we might find a way to draw closer to God.
I have heard many tell me of their experience of sitting with a loved one as they approach death. They simply hold the hand of their loved one as an assurance that they are not alone. As the minutes turn to hours, they know that their presence eases the passing of their loved one. No words are said. Just a simple touch conveys the love that is between them. Sitting with Jesus, imagining my hand in his, can tell me volumes of how much he loves me and how much I love him.
We traditionally think of Lenten as a time for sacrifice. We choose to sacrifice something like desserts, chocolate, coffee, or television. However, after Lent is over, we simply return to our old pattern. The sacrifices were made, and we come away feeling that we did well.
However, the Scriptures seem to indicate that Lent is really about reconciliation, about renewing our love relationship with God. Through the prophet Joel God asks us “to return to me with your whole heart.” In this Second Letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” In the responsorial psalm, we pray with King David: “Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.” Lent is about returning to the Lord and admitting that we have lost our way.” The Shepherd is searching for his lost sheep. So perhaps the notion of doing nothing for Lent helps us to move away from the notion of sacrifice and return to the notion of reconciliation.
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator