“GENEROUS LENT 2017”
Lenten Reflections
Thursday, 2nd March 2017,
Week of Ash Wednesday
Dt 30: 15-20;
Ps 1: 1-4, 6;
Lk 9: 22-25
GAINING THE SOUL BY LOSING THE WORLD!
The first reading taken from the book of Deuteronomy calls us to keep the commandments by loving God, obeying him and walking in his ways. If we do so, we will possess the promises of God, which is life and prosperity. On the other hand one who doesn't follow the Lord chooses death and evil.
The Gospel speaks to us of taking up our crosses daily and following Jesus. Luke stresses DAILY, showing us the importance of being committed daily to embrace the crosses that come our way with love and fidelity. To embrace that which is painful, unrewarding, detestable by worldly standards is not easy. This is what Jesus did through his suffering and death on the cross for us, won for us redemption.
Choosing a life of faith and the salvation of our souls requires that we let go of many things in this world. Even if God were to bless us with much in this world, we must strive to live in such a way that we are ready and willing to “give it up” if it were beneficial to our eternal salvation, or the salvation of others. This is hard to do and requires a very deep love of God. It requires that we are convinced, on the deepest level, that the pursuit of holiness is more important than anything else. Do not hesitate to make God and His abundant mercy the central focus of your life. Lent is one of the best times of the year to seriously look at the most fundamental desire and goal of your heart. Choose Him above all else and you will be eternally grateful you did.
Prsyer: Lord, as we enter into this Lenten season, give me the grace I need to look at my priorities. Help me to honestly discern that which is the most fundamental and central driving motivation of my life. Help me to choose You above all else so that You will help everything in my life to become ordered in accord with Your holy will. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
Holy Habit for Lent: THANKS – Lord help me to learn the habit of being THANKFUL, especially to You and to others. Lord help me to use the word THANK YOU more often. Amen.