Beauty is all around us. We can sense it in so many ways. Most often, we experience beauty in things we see: a sunset, a flower or the smile of a loved one. Of course, we can hear beautiful sounds, smell beautiful aromas and taste beautiful flavors. But so much beauty is lost in the messiness of life, the worries and sadness that distract and sometimes overwhelm us. We become blind to the wonders that God places before us. How can our vision be restored that we might take in – both visually and spiritually – the blessings of God’s kingdom, on earth as it is in heaven?
Lent invites us to focus on beauty and to participate in it. Beauty can be ignored, observed or absorbed. Even those with sight can be blind to it, but everyone has an opportunity to engage in the beauty that surrounds us. Like the man born blind in the Gospel for the fourth Sunday of Lent, we rely on and respond to God's grace. With eyes wide open, we see, believe and become the beauty.
Invite students to sit comfortably, with their feet on the floor, and close their eyes for a few minutes. Once all are settled, say: "We're going to take time to do nothing. You won't have to say anything or see anything, and the only effort you'll make is imagining. We’re going to share an exercise based on a Lenten practice of fasting that Pope Francis inspired. Your eyes need to be closed, but open your mind and heart to new ways to create beauty in our world. And so, I invite you to…[speak these lines deliberately, with hope and belief in your voice]"
Fast from hurting words
and say kind words.
[pause for about 5 seconds]
Think of a few kind words you can share later today.
[pause for about 15 seconds]
Fast from sadness
and be filled with gratitude.
[pause for about 5 seconds]
Think of someone you need to thank, and how you might do that.
[pause for about 15 seconds]
Fast from anger
and be filled with patience.
[pause for about 5 seconds]
Think of someone or something with who you could be more patient.
[pause for about 15 seconds]
Fast from pessimism
and be filled with hope.
[pause for about 5 seconds]
Hear my hope that you’ll make the world a better place.
[pause for about 15 seconds]
Fast from worries
and have trust in God.
[pause for about 5 seconds]
Believe it when God says things will be OK. God’s got this.
[pause for about 15 seconds]
Fast from complaints
and contemplate simplicity.
[pause for about 5 seconds]
Clear the clutter of complaints from your mind.
[pause for about 15 seconds]
Fast from pressures
and be prayerful.
[pause for about 5 seconds]
Take a long breath out to ease your stress. Breathe in God’s goodness.
[pause for about 15 seconds]
Fast from bitterness
and fill your heart with joy.
[pause for about 5 seconds]
Think of a hurt you can let go of. Imagine having more room, more time for love.
[pause for about 15 seconds]
Fast from selfishness
and be compassionate to others.
[pause for about 5 seconds]
How can you share goodness with someone today?
[pause for about 15 seconds]
Fast from grudges
and be reconciled.
[pause for about 5 seconds]
Think of a bridge you need to get over, a relationship to heal.
[pause for about 15 seconds]
Fast from words
and be silent so you can listen.
[pause for about 5 seconds]
That’s all the words I have. Spend a moment with God.
[pause for about a minute]
After a full minute, ask students to open their eyes. Give them a quiet moment to adjust to the light, then invite them to consider the following questions, sharing out loud if they wish:
- How did it take to spend a few quiet moments just thinking?
- What good can come from stepping away from some of these negative factors in our lives?
- What are you most eager or hopeful about doing with the positive energy you might gain from this fasting?
Conclude by saying, "When we close our eyes to burdens and entanglements, we can open our eyes to freedom and beauty. Beauty, as well as the freedom to experience it, are gifts with which God graces us."
Open our eyes, Lord,
to the beauty around us.
Heal us of any impediment
that keeps us from encountering beauty
and you, beauty's loving source.
Amen.
Approximate reading time for this article: 5 minutes
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