Two False Forms of Holiness

Francis’ Letter, Exult and Rejoice, continues to give us food for thought. His second chapter warns us of two very twisted views that can deform our response to the call to holiness. They are both old familiar heresies. The first is called Gnosticism. In simple terms, it means your smarts will make you holy. A subtle form of superficial conceit, Gnosticism considers its own vision of reality to be perfect. It feeds on itself, and tends to be disembodied. This sad state of mind can be reflected in racism. “I know we are superior to those black people. We’re better educated and disciplined.” There is little awareness that our elitism rests on the backs of those we have kept in poor neighborhoods and schools. Disembodiment keeps “those people” at a distance, we are out of touch with “those others.”

The second view that can deform authentic holiness is called Pelagianism. As Gnosticism distorts intelligence, so Pelagianism attacks the human will. It suggests that we can fix ourselves solely by the effort of our human will. Holiness is a “do-it-yourself” job that grace can hitch onto if God wants. In reality it is the other way around. God heals the will so that it can respond as it can. Once again, Pelagianism is a subtle form of arrogance. Being alerted to this danger is especially meaningful for Dominicans in the current struggle for justice.

The Dominican doesn’t begin with action, with prayer added “when I have time.” Dominican life calls us to contemplative stillness first, to see the situation clearly in God, then to act from that contemplative clarity. This is a safeguard directly against Pelagianism. Interestingly, our Dominican life also protects us from getting mired in a Gnostic intellectual quicksand. We are contemplatives that act. We gaze at the Holy Mystery. Then we tuck the head in the heart. Only then can we speak and act rightly. This is how we deal with racism or any other “ism” that tries to twist the truth.

Light Against the Darkness…A Different Kind of Lent

As we enter the desert of this year’s Lent, many of us feel powerless and discouraged. This is a time ripe for God to be God. When we are weak we are strong. I suggest we make use of these times to spend Lent in a somewhat different way to keep the darkness from winning.

Prayer:  Rather than add extra “prayers” to your Lenten days, set aside time, maybe ten minutes, to just let God look at you. This is more difficult than you think. You do nothing…except look at God looking. You will feel helpless. You need to feel helpless because you are helpless. You will be teaching yourself to trust totally in God. Then make it a practice all day long, as you fold the laundry, wait at a red light, push the shopping cart down the aisle…to gently go back to that gaze. Intentionally go in and out all day. You will be training your consciousness to gradually develop the ability to “pray always.”

Fasting :  If you have been told you are overweight or obese, don’t change your diet but cut your food portions in half. You will not starve, but you will suddenly be leaving the table “not full.” You will be training your palate to do with less. If this is not your situation, check how you rush from one activity to another, as if a whip were over your head. When you wake in the morning plan how you can go gently from one activity of the day to the next. Fast from the subtle self-violent rushing that rules many of us, keeping us in worry and tension. Fast from it.

Almsgiving :  In the spirit of the Racine Dominican community effort to be more aware of the unconscious racism that we carry, find a lovely small bowl in your cupboard. Make it your “begging bowl” for lent. Toss your extra change in it during lent. Choose a charity of your choice that serves black children, elderly, or poor families. When Holy Week comes, convert your gathered change into paper money or a check and visit the place you have chosen, to personally deliver the money. Spend a bit of time finding out about the place. Make it an investment of time as well as money.

Surround this humble effort with the Word of God. Read the first reading for the coming day just before you fall off to sleep. In the morning read the Gospel…behind the words see the Word speaking directly to you. Lent means “springtime.” May it mean the greening of your soul.

 

I’m ready.

Time for spring housecleaning.

No mere wishful thinking.

Instead, a firm act of the will –

This is what I will do.

You are always aware of me.

I will try to be more aware of You.

I will fast from what makes me miserable.

I will give what I can to those who don’t have what they need.

Amen.