Lenten reflections, Scriptural roots

By GLEN ARGAN
WCR Editor

But St. Benedict warns that "Our prayer ought to be short and pure, unless it happens to be prolonged by an inspiration of divine grace." So aim for purity in your devotion, not length of time.

For a few moments, sit silently, breathing in God's presence. Then ask the Holy Spirit to come and be with you. Read the line from the Scripture once and then pause. Then read it again, perhaps many times.

Does it touch any feelings in you? Is it calling you to do something different in your life? Or is it calling you to do the same thing, but to do it differently?

Talk silently with Jesus about how the line affects you? Ask him to be with you at all times. Give glory to Jesus, Son of the living God.

Wednesday, March 13

The carrot and the stick. Jesus knows us well. To think of heaven should spur us on to fill the world with goodness. But sometimes we are not so energized. We need to be told to get with it, to stop living idle, useless lives where sin may creep in at any time. There are dire consequences to being a lay-about.

Thursday, March 14

How can I live without human approval? To do my best in some endeavour and to not receive any support or even acknowledgement would be a form of torture. I need the positive feedback from others. But Jesus says it is truth and life that we should seek, not human approval. To me, it feels very difficult to be so uncompromising.

Friday, March 15

One can hear Jesus' pleading voice. This is no hoax - Jesus is the Messiah. Our salvation depends on our believing that. It depends on our believing that Jesus is God and that what he says is true. He is right to implore. It is for our own good.

Saturday, March 16

These are not Jesus' words, but the words of his opponents. And if you want to be gloomy, you can find something bad to say about anybody. It doesn't take much imagination. But criticizing and complaining are the bane of our existence. They drag us down to hell. We need to rip them out of our lives root and branch. And do it daily.

Sunday, March 17

Oh yes, Jesus, I believe in you. Absolutely! But the things you ask of me often seem so demanding. To strive to be a servant, not a master; to care nothing for human approval; to love my enemies; to leave behind everything that is not of God - all of these are heavy demands. Oh yes, Jesus, I love you. But should I be serious about all that you ask?

Monday, March 18

The voice of mercy is a welcome one, indeed. This poor woman expected to receive a harsh justice. But instead Jesus calmly pointed out that if justice was meted out fairly to all sinners, none would remain standing. This is our hope, our only hope - the God who forgives sins. And what a great God he is!

Tuesday, March 19

Joseph was the faithful follower of God whose life was constantly interrupted by dreams, angels and unusual happenings. He bore it all patiently. He stuck with it and he loved his wife and his son. Joseph gets so little attention in the Bible and yet he sets such a high standard of fidelity.

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