As we enter this Fifth Sunday in Lent in our book study of Max Vincent’s “Because of This I Rejoice,” we explore the often misunderstood practice of religious asceticism. The practice of spiritual asceticism is often associated with extreme practices of denial and medieval forms of penance. As Vincent writes in this chapter, the practice of spiritual asceticism need not be so extreme or bring us to the edge of our ability or desire to be in God’s presence. Vincent begins the chapter by providing a definition that helpfully defines the practices of spiritual asceticism that will bring us to a joyful place with God. The image of the beautiful starry night sky, framed by the rich red desert rocks better describes the spiritual practices Vincent imagines for our Lenten journey.

Vincent begins this chapter with an effort to change our minds and understandings of the definition of spiritual asceticism. Vincent writes, “I use the word asceticism here not to identify extreme spiritual practices but rather in the sense of its Greek root. The Greek verb ‘askein’ means ‘to practice, to exercise, to work.’ I mean exercise or practice when considering the lives of the early church monastics, who I first believed guilty of running to the desert to escape temptation, but soon realized that they fled to the desert to face their temptations head-on.” The idea of stripping away the “noise and distractions” of the world through simple spiritual practices and routines quiets the noise of the soul and forces us to hear the movements of our inner being, sometimes for the first time. I believe this “soul work” is exactly the work the early monastics were doing in the desert, and it is the work we can take up for ourselves as well.

In the first section of this chapter (Beware of boasting in the flesh), Vincent describes the Apostle Paul’s understanding of the work of the Christian. I think this section is very important to understand, and is perhaps the key to understanding the fine line between “works righteousness” (believing what we do contributes to our standing with God), and the subtly different idea that “an active Christian faith is vital, yet accomplishes little toward achieving the gift of eternal life.” It is this difference that put the reformer Martin Luther at odds with The Letter of James and that letter’s description of “the fruits of an active faith.” Vincent describes Paul’s understanding by writing, “Paul takes issue not with the specific acts he mentions but with boasting in any act as something we do to bring ourselves closer to God.” To take up acts of love and charity toward others, and then to smile broadly, pleased with yourself, as you look down upon those who are still spiritually slumbering is a slippery slope. It is this very human thought that prompts the righteous Pharisee to look down upon the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14)…spiritual pride is still pride…and pride is among the most dangerous of all the vices.

Two more important points are made by Vincent in the following sections: the suffering of Christ does not alleviate us from the pain of suffering and sorrow; and the life of a Christian is a life of striving to follow Christ. The first point of Christ’s suffering is important for us to take into our prayers because it is Christ’s suffering that points us toward the cross. It is in the power of the cross (the death and resurrection of Christ) that we are able to endure our suffering and sorrow with confidence, knowing that Christ has walked this road as well; and we can also be filled with hope that we are joined with Christ in all our troubles. Finally, Vincent introduces us to Paul’s favorite imagery of the athlete, striving for constant improvement and achievement of excellence. Paul likes this imagery because the rigorous training of the athlete appeals to Paul’s sense that the joys and sorrows of life are necessary experiences for us to be brought close to the life and experience of Christ. It is through constant striving that we improve our ability to trust that we are on a journey that ends in the glorious day of Christ and the eternal prize of life with God.