Fr. Jean Pierre de Caussade was a French Jesuit priest and author who was born on this day in 1675. He is well-known for his famous treatise on Abandonment to Divine Providence, which asserts that the present moment is a sacrament from God and that self-abandonment to it is a holy state. This book is now considered to be a Catholic spiritual classic. He is also well-known for his letters written to the Visitation nuns in the Lorraine region of northern France, where he served them as confessor and spiritual director. He also served as rector of two colleges and as spiritual director for a Jesuit house. He was deeply influenced by the writings of both St. Francis de Sales and St. John of the Cross. He died in 1751.
In the book of Isaiah today, the people of Israel have returned from their exile. They are called to return to their faith. They are feeling bewildered and frustrated. Isaiah calls them to not only an outward change, but more importantly, an inner change.
In Isaiah, the people voice their desire for the Lord to approach them, to come near. The people desire God to be just with them. They want God to notice their fasting and acts of penance. On the surface, this seems to sincere and congruent to their religious observances Yet, Isaiah wonders if this is really an excess of outward piety that violates the spirit of God’s law and is just for show.
Lent is not just about going through the motions for us as Catholics. It is not about outward appearances. We are called to pray and to search our hearts, to find the ways that God is calling us to observe Lent in prayers, fasting, and charity. May Lent be a truly holy time for us on our journey of faith.
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