Fr. Chris' Reflection

As we continue our Lenten journey, I find myself in a Civil War mood. One of the better books I’ve read recently is American Ulysses by Ronald White (and yes, I’m very excited for his new book on Joshua Chamberlain but that will be for another article). Early in the book the author talks about an encounter which I have never heard about, the Battle of Belmont, which was Grant’s first battlefield engagement of the war. The battle took place following Kentucky’s statement of neutrality (both Union and Confederate forces entered the state regardless). Grant had intended to capture Columbus, Kentucky. During the battle General Polk took his men into Missouri where they were surprised by the Union troops. A fast summary of the battle tells us that the Confederate troops were overrun, yet while the union troops were celebrating their victory (and plundering the Confederate camps), the Confederate troops returned, and the Union forces were forced to flee the battlefield because they were unprepared for a counter-attack. This was a major learning moment for Grant, who learned the need to understand that a battle is not over until it is over.

For us, we are approximately a quarter of the way through Lent. On Ash Wednesday we likely had great plans for the season, but I’m sure we have run into some unexpected issues as things come up in our life. Now is not the time to give up as we are pressed by the realities of our lives. Now is the time for counterattack (military language doesn’t transfer perfectly ha!). What I mean is, we need to reevaluate how we are going about our Lenten practices. If we planned to make a holy hour everyday but we find that we are too tired at the end of the day, do it at the beginning of the day (or break it up into two half-hour sessions in a day). If we are struggling to cut back on screen time, think of new ways that you can productively spend your time (I recommend picking up a good civil war book). The point is that Lent is a long season and things can come at us in waves. When we feel overwhelmed, we shouldn’t simply retreat from our spiritual plans for the season, we should think of how we can live our best spiritual lives in the midst of our times.

“As Lent is the time for greater love, listen to Jesus’ thirst…He knows your weakness. He wants only your love, wants only the chance to love you.”
– St Teresa of Calcutta

In Christ,
Fr. Chris