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One of the purifications of Lent may be longer readings and longer homilies.

     But the real goal of lent is to be free from our sins, and to do penance for our sins and the sins of the whole world. Some priests have even been preaching lately, "Oh, don't do penance, just do nice things for your neighbor." I agree that we must do kind things for our neighbor, for how can we say we love God when we fail to love our neighbor? But we must ALSO do penance, especially prayer, fasting and almsgiving. It's a both-and.

     How can one overcome temptation? Well, first we have to admit that certain acts are sins, and that one is tempted to do them. I'm rather tired of so many people who come up and tell me what they think sin is or is not, and who at the same time make no reference to Church teaching.

     One pitfall can be to excessively philosophize about our temptations. We start with the universal doctrine that temptations proceed from the devil, the flesh and the world, but then we just keep thinking theoretically, and never address the problem of conquering the temptation.

     Pope Benedict addressed this very situation, and gave us a sure way to overcome temptation. Allow me to quote:

     "To one disciple who expressed his desire 'to seek the causes of the various temptations that assailed him,' Barsanuphius [of Gaza, an ascetic who died in the mid-sixth century,] responded 'Brother John, do not fear any of the temptations that come to test you, for the Lord will not let you fall prey to them. So, whenever one of these temptations comes to you, do not tire yourself by endeavouring to discern what is at stake, but cry out in Jesus’ Name: ‘Jesus, help me!’ And he will hear you, for he ‘is close to all who call on him.’ (Ps 145) Do not be discouraged, but run on with enthusiasm and you will reach the destination in Christ Jesus, Our Lord. (Barsanuphius and John of Gaza, Epistolario, 39: Collana di Testi Patristici, XCIII, Rome, 1991, p. 109). And these words of the ancient Fathers also apply to us. In our difficulties, problems, temptations, we must not simply make a theoretical reflection – where do they come from? – but must react positively, we must call on the Lord." ^[1]

     To overcome sin, do not count on vain theories, just turn to God for your salvation.

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^[1] Pope Benedict XVI, The Lord is Faithful in All His Words, Wed. Audience Feb. 8, 2006, Paul VI hall, Rome, in “L’Osservatore Romano” N. 7 (1931), February 15, 2006, p. 11