The threefold asceticism of Lent, which is the threefold asceticism of the Christian life at any time, consists of almsgiving, prayer and fasting (Matt 6:1-18). Notice that the three corners of a Christian 'triangle' are addressed in these practices: almsgiving concerns others, prayer concerns God, and fasting concerns myself. Notice that we can also align these practices with a threefold structure of temptation identified in the Bible. The attractions of transgression are the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1 Jn 2:16), what is good to eat, pleasing to the eye and promises wisdom (Gen 3: 6). These things are not in themselves our enemies but they are the things that most easily turn against us when we pursue them disproportionately.How are the classical ascetical practices the antidote to temptation? Fasting and other disciplines of self-denial help us to manage the desires of the flesh in ways that are appropriate to our true needs as well as to our commitments and relationships. Almsgiving and other practices of charity and justice-making help us to manage our relationships with others, our standing in the world and our evaluation of what is important in regard to possessions, reputation and achievement. Prayer and other acts of the virtue of religion – adoration, devotion and sacrifice – sustain our relationship with God and help us appreciate that it is in God we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).
In Lent we practise these practices in the hope that the benefits they bring will take deeper root in our hearts and lives. It is important that we observe all three, for only then are we living within the reality identified by Jesus in the great commandment: you must love the Lord your God, and your neighbour as yourself.
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