Loving Away Evil in Lent

Every year, we are reminded that Lent should not merely be about giving up habits or pleasures but also adding some positive spiritual discipline. We might give up caffeine or alcohol, for example. Or we might add a spiritual or corporal work of mercy, such as praying the office or visiting the sick. Of course, many of us engage in both kinds of Lenten disciplines, depriving ourselves of some good, while adding good works. The two approaches, both of which many of us practice, can actually be analyzed in distinct ways, as they may provide different spiritual blessings.