Few lessons for Lent are more pertinent than those to do with the “world.”
Time and again — in Scripture, by Jesus, by the Apostles — are we warned that consorting with worldliness means we are in league with the “prince of this world,” with the “prince of the power of the air,” who is Satan.
Simply put, we are in the world, yes — unavoidably — but are not to be of it.
What is the world?
The Bible, which has a chapter headed “Against the World (1 John 2:15-17),” says:
“Have no love for the world, nor the things that the world affords. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love has no place in him, for nothing that the world affords comes from the Father.
“Carnal allurement, enticements for the eye, the life of empty show — all these things are from the world.
“And the world with its seductions is passing away but the man who does God’s Will endures forever.”
A good reading following the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras.
Heed ye the Word, not the World. The difference is in the letter “l,” as in “lost.” Review the seven “cardinal sins.”
What are your eyes fixed upon? What impresses you? Who and what are “important”? Whom do you admire? Whom do you follow? Have ye idols?
Saint Catherine of Genoa said, “If man’s eyes were pure, he would see clearly that things which pass away so quickly as do those which in this world are esteemed beautiful, good, and useful, could not truly be said to be so, such words being suitable only for things which have no end.
“Hence, man, if he prides himself upon temporal things, becomes unable to attain those that are celestial and eternal, degenerates into a vile and humble creature whose greatness is lost and who is degraded to the condition of the things he has always sought. Think, alas, what will become of this spirit so generous, created for the highest dignity and felicity, when it is immersed in the vile filth of its own depraved desires and held by its own demerits in abominations which will ever grow worse.”
Added this austere saint: “It is certain that our spirit was created for love and for felicity and this is what it is constantly seeking in all things; it can never find satiety in temporal things and yet is ever hoping that it may there attain it.”
What will happen at the end, she asks, “when, having lost all its occupations, and discovered all its illusions and its vain hopes, and lost all its time, it remains deprived of every good, and though contrary to its nature, must forever remain forcibly deprived of all love and happiness?”
“Temporal” means “temporary” — transitory, fleeting. And: ephemeral. There are 666 synonyms for it.
What is esteemed so highly on earth not only vanishes in a blink, but holds back the spirit — anchors it to earthy things that rise not to the heights God has designed for us.
The costliest home in America (most recently, a $295-million one near Naples, Florida) means nothing, and in fact less than nothing, upon passing.
Few lessons in the life of Christ are so clear, He who was born in a manger and died owning no home.
In the end, naked are we also. Countless are those who report angelic encounters or brushes with death itself who come back with no further regard for the material except for the necessities of life.
A woman dying in a Houston hospice claimed that angels repeatedly instructed her to read Proverbs 2, verses 2-5 in the version of Scripture she had, and ponder the words:
“Tune your ears to wisdom,
“And concentrate on understanding.
“Cry out for insight,
“And ask for understanding.
“Search them as you would silver;
“Seek them like hidden treasures.
“Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
“And you will gain knowledge of God.”
[resources: books for Lent]