Painless penance

[Scholastica]

I know a lot of this forum is to do with a particular kind of penance, but it might also be worth visiting another kind, and providing some suggestions to those who want to do something, but are uncertain about dipping their toe into these rather scarey looking waters.

So I thought it might be useful to give some examples of penance that may take time and effort, but do not include physical pain or discomfort. And I would very much welcome suggestions from other people.

I would start with one comment about prayer. Among other daily prayers, I have found it useful (and quite challenging to remember) to say the Lord's Prayer at certain times; on waking or going to bed, when going out of the house or entering it, and in particular before eating or drinking anything. The number of times I have found myself half way through a cup of tea, and realised that I have forgotten, yet again. When I do, I smile, put the cup down, say the prayer to myself quietly, and carry on.

The reason for this is to remind myself of God's mercy and generosity to me. And my failing shows me how often I take what he gives me for granted. This in turn reveals my lack of gratitude in general for the country I live in, its relative wealth, and my relative wealth within it.

And related to that cup of tea is temperance. I think it was Ignatius again who said, decide just after a meal what you will take for your next. Not when you are hungry, in other words. That is very useful advice.

One last one; respect for all life. I find it is a very good discipline to respect all life as being as valuable as my own. When I am walking I will avoid treading on insects, and if I get flies or spiders in the house I will try to put them outside, rather than killing them. I don't always manage to do this, but I try. I remember how small and insignificant I am before God, but how he cares for me, and I try to reflect that in my attitude to those creatures that are insignificant to me. The blessed Francis has a lot to teach us; I think Christians are prone to take other animals for granted.

[Pia]

Thank you for your recent insightful posts, Scholastica, they have been helpful to me

I have pondered this subject a lot recently, unable as I am to practise painful penance. But there are so many other ways! Although I cannot fast as such, I can mortify my appetite, especially as there are quite a few foods I really do not like. When I go on retreat for instance I eat everything that is put before me and show no preference for any food. If there is a choice, I choose the one whch appeals to me the least. Sometimes for breakfast, I eat the toast my husband has left after he has gone to work (as he never finishes it all!) And of course there is the barefoot penance which I have already discussed, which works for me.

Other ideas...getting out of bed immediately the alarm goes off. Denying oneself entertainment whether radio, tv, books...wearing clothes which are unflattering/uncomfortable, denying oneself a bath/shower for a number of days and just washing in cold water...sleeping without a pillow. There are lots of things one can do with a little imagination

Pia <><

[Blue Tit]

A SD I had the last time I went to a St Ignatius retreat, used to give us this advice concerning painless penance :

When you are thirsty (it was a very hot summer), wait 10 mn before you drink.
When you want to read your mails, wait 10 mn before you open your box.
etc. etc. etc. all the same...

His penitents named him "Monsieur en différé" (difficult to translate in english...it would be something like "the postpone man" )

[Pia]

That is a good one, Blue Tit! I like that, "Monsieur en différé"
Not being able to do painful penances is a penance in itself. I find I have a deep desire for pain, and it is a desire I have to continually offer up to God.

[Scholastica]

Thank you for your recent insightful posts, Scholastica, they have been helpful to me

Thanks. I appreciate the encouragement.

denying oneself a bath/shower for a number of days and just washing in cold water...sleeping without a pillow. There are lots of things one can do with a little imagination

Pia <><

Funny you should mention the washing one, Pia. We seem to be on the same wavelength, even without trying. I have been doing this this week; washing in a sink of water each morning, rather than taking a bath. The end result is just as clean, but I do not waste water.

I also try to carry washing up water outside after I have used it, and put it onto the plants. This is not really a penance, but it is trying to be aware of how rich we are in resources, and not to waste any, if we can help it.

I really like the barefoot penance. I have taken to walking in the garden without shoes, rather than with. It is just as you say; a good way to remember our vulnerability. I am sure that come September it will be too cold, but I can do it for now.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Scholastica]

A SD I had the last time I went to a St Ignatius retreat, used to give us this advice concerning painless penance :

When you are thirsty (it was a very hot summer), wait 10 mn before you drink.
When you want to read your mails, wait 10 mn before you open your box.

I would be very bad at that. I hate getting post, and always have to open it immediately, or else it risks never being opened at all. My discipline is to always open every letter, and in particular bills and bank statements, as soon as they arrive.

Your comment about the retreat reminds me of a trip to a convent that I made once. It was a Friday, and the sisters apologised for the food, because it was a fast day. They served red lentils, cooked with onion, and served with fresh crusty bread.

I thought it was one of the most delicious meals I had ever tasted, and since then I have often cooked it. Either on its own, or with rice instead of bread.

Maybe that is another subject to consider; food that conforms to fasting requirements, and which is incidentally not at all penitential.

[Scholastica]

I was closing my blinds this evening, and remembered another painless penance that I use.

I am a very visual person; I often talk in terms of 'seeing'. When I am alone at home I close all the blinds, to keep my focus within.

This is to teach me not to take the gift of sight for granted, and to remember what the Lord said of those who claimed to be able to see.

[Swainl12]

Hello friends, my name is William. I am a new member of this forum. I have been observing and reading posts for several months, so lastnight, I joined.
One of the owners of this site has been sending me business, people who want to buy a hair shirt. I now sell hair shirts since the owners of this site are not selling them right now, but they want others to be able to have one. I also wear my own hair shirt, twice a week and during days when we celebrate a mass for remembrance of martyrs. My hair shirt has changed my life. And I thank God for that. It reminds me constantly that I am so little before God, but so loved because God is love and grace. I myself am a former OSB, on leave from my monastery because I feel that God wants me elsewhere to do His mission. I am constantly at prayer and beg God to give me more light, help me to discern. In His time, not mine, God will get me to where I need to be.
So, here I am, and I now check out, but thanks for reading this. Also, I am going to leave my website for hair shirts: http://www.buyhairshirts.com

Oremus pro invicem
William

[Scholastica]

Hello friends, my name is William. I am a new member of this forum. I have been observing and reading posts for several months, so lastnight, I joined.

Nice to meet you, William, and thanks for the link.

[Scholastica]

Here are some further thoughts on painless penance, and in particular the subject of obedience.

Realising that this is my very worst failing, and that going my own way in my own way is far easier, I am trying to practice active obedience. This means that, for example, if I want a drink of water, I will kneel and ask God's permission for that water, then say the Lord's Prayer. Then, after I have had the water, I kneel again, and thank him, perhaps meditating on the abundance of the water supply to my home, and the lack of clean water to other people. Then I again say the Lord's Prayer.

It is rather chastening to find how much I take for granted, and how many blessings he gives me every day which I do not even see any more.

What I am finding is that the more I seek God, the further I find myself to be from him.