Unfortunately, for respective decades the fasting character of the full sacred quarantine has been slow eliminated. Even the Church has softened its discipline, which can always be discussed, especially erstwhile we see the effects of constant relaxation of requirements. It is worth at least to return to certain practices on its own," says Fr Mateusz Markiewicz IBP.
Priest Doctor, what's the most crucial thing about Lent?
The most crucial thing in Lent is to realize that it is simply a period of preparation of man, in his spiritual and bodily aspect, to the most crucial feast of the year, to the most crucial week of the year, namely the large Night. As it celebrates the resurrection of Christ after his torture and death, it is for us the feast from which our religion grows and through which our sins are forgiven. Paul wrote of this beautifully: "And if Christ has not risen, your religion is in vain, and yet you stay in your sins." (1 Cor 15:17)
Even though more prayer is recommended during Lent, it is not a substance of spending many hours in the temple, neglecting the regular duties?
We all know that in the course of the year with this prayer, we are different, and we can usually blame ourselves. Either we skip it or we pray just like that. The Lent is so an chance to resume good prayer practices, all the more so that they can aid prepare our soul for the fruitful experience of Passover holidays. The very fact of making efforts in the field of spiritual life is good, for it reminds us of our spiritual nature and the request to care for it so that it is ready to meet God. The large Post is so about developing prayer life so that it allows us to meet and think about God more frequently during the day.
Why fast? How do you fast?
Fasting is what man takes to sanctify his body and reconstruct a certain balance between the soul and the body. For so frequently it directs the soul, and so besides our intellect and will, by which they choose the material, temporal. The body that man is mortifying is so weaker, but besides so that the soul can guide it more easily, so that man more frequently thinks that 1 day this body will fall apart, will be destroyed by death.
As far as fasting practice itself is concerned, it should be adapted to our spiritual needs, our wellness and our opportunities. Sometimes it can be a greater sacrifice for individual to drink unsweetened coffee than to last forty days without eating meat. So you gotta choose wisely. So that the mark is attainable, while giving us any discomfort, requiring us to control our desires.
Sometimes things don't work out, we don't refuse circumstantial prayers, we don't attend services... It's so easy to break down, discourage... but we're truly weak... Is the large Post all about beating yourself up?
If things are not working out, it is worth considering why. Whether we set the bar besides advanced or it was just right, but we proved to be the deficiency of strong will, a certain discipline. Exactly, it's not about beating yourself up, it's besides about not feeling sorry for yourself and not making excuses besides easily. In fact, it can be said that in Lent 1 should be reasonably demanding for 1 another. It is thanks to this attitude that we can become more nonsubjective towards ourselves, better and more honestly seeing our weaknesses and strengths, what has already been improved, and what we can inactive work on. Yes, it may origin any discouragement, but it should and should be a origin for joy if we have made small advancement with God’s help. It is this small joy of improving ourselves that will make us not feel that we are punishing ourselves.
Does a confession considered a Lenten work make sense?
It does not be as specified the work of Lenten Confession, but it is simply a pious practice which should not be rejected under the pretext of its deficiency of compulsory character. Rather, it is worth experiencing it differently, not only during this sacred quarantine, but besides confessing that it was not faithful to Lent. Thus, confession will not only be a sacramental means to forgive sins, but besides an chance to see how I am coping, or not, with my Lenten provisions.
A retreat is essential to last the Lent?
The Lenten Retreat, understood especially as attending the teachings devoted to meditation on the Lord's torture, is very useful for each of us, due to the fact that by utilizing our good spirituality these weeks, we can deepen our religion and the Savior's love for us. These are not compulsory exercises, you can have a good Lent without them, but it is better with them. And if there is an chance to do better than good, and with small effort, why not usage it?
What shouldn't we be doing in the large Post?
Unfortunately, for respective decades the fasting character of the full sacred quarantine has been slow eliminated. Even the Church has softened its discipline, which can always be discussed, especially erstwhile we see the effects of constant relaxation of requirements. So it is worth at least to return to certain practices, especially those concerning social life. The Lent is the period during which alleged large games should not be held. Let us remember this advice and change our social life during these forty days, even if it requires a witness to refuse an invitation to a club night or to any another kind of fun.
How can Lent aid us?
The Lent is to aid us to prepare ourselves as a full for the fruitful experience of Passover, which is the summit of our faith. In turn, Lenten practices train us in theological virtues, especially in love. For prayer reminds us of God, and so it inspires our faith, while expressing our love for the Creator. Lent can be read as a sign of hope, for life on this earth is in abundance, waiting for future life, mostly spiritual life. Thus we bear witness to the love of ourselves, due to the fact that we desire what is best for us, salvation. Finally, the alms understood as sharing our goods (material, but besides sometimes, physical force through work for a good work or a needy person) is the most tangible proof of neighbor's love, and thus the 1 that shows that we truly love God and ourselves.
Thank you for talking.
Marta Dybińska
