We've already made it through a whole week and now we're approaching the second Sunday of Lent! So what can we do to continue to grow this Lenten season?
First, we need to enter into a period of discernment. Often, when Catholics hear this word, they immediately think of those discerning the priesthood or religious life. So why should we be discerning if we don't necessarily feel called to that life? Here's why: discernment isn't just about considering the priesthood or religious life, it's about seeking God in whatever you do. So why wouldn't we make an effort to make this Lent a period of discernment? Don't we want to grow closer to Christ and make Him the center of all we do? If we make an effort to discern Christ and His will in everything we do, we're one step closer to becoming saints.
Second, we need to learn to let go of ourselves and focus on God. Last week, we reflected on the significance of Ash Wednesday and how it reminds us that without God, we're nothing but dust. We reflected on how we must die to ourselves and our worldly desires in order to prepare our souls for Heaven. So, this week, focus on letting go of yourself and letting God work more fully through you. St. Teresa of Avila has a great quote that sums up why we should let go of ourselves. She said, "Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks with compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours."
This Sunday, the Gospel is the story of the Transfiguration. Peter, James and John go up to a mountain with Jesus and He reveals Himself in all His heavenly glory to them, along with Moses and Elijah. They are so overwhelmed by the vision that they want to stay there on the mountain and build tents for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. But they couldn't stay there forever because they had to go back to the world and bring Jesus to the people. So, too, do we have to go out into the world with the glory of God in our hearts and serve the people in His name.
So, this Lent, discern God and His will in your life. Allow Him to make you His hands and feet in the world. Learn to let go of yourself so you can truly become His.
First, we need to enter into a period of discernment. Often, when Catholics hear this word, they immediately think of those discerning the priesthood or religious life. So why should we be discerning if we don't necessarily feel called to that life? Here's why: discernment isn't just about considering the priesthood or religious life, it's about seeking God in whatever you do. So why wouldn't we make an effort to make this Lent a period of discernment? Don't we want to grow closer to Christ and make Him the center of all we do? If we make an effort to discern Christ and His will in everything we do, we're one step closer to becoming saints.
Second, we need to learn to let go of ourselves and focus on God. Last week, we reflected on the significance of Ash Wednesday and how it reminds us that without God, we're nothing but dust. We reflected on how we must die to ourselves and our worldly desires in order to prepare our souls for Heaven. So, this week, focus on letting go of yourself and letting God work more fully through you. St. Teresa of Avila has a great quote that sums up why we should let go of ourselves. She said, "Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks with compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours."
This Sunday, the Gospel is the story of the Transfiguration. Peter, James and John go up to a mountain with Jesus and He reveals Himself in all His heavenly glory to them, along with Moses and Elijah. They are so overwhelmed by the vision that they want to stay there on the mountain and build tents for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. But they couldn't stay there forever because they had to go back to the world and bring Jesus to the people. So, too, do we have to go out into the world with the glory of God in our hearts and serve the people in His name.
So, this Lent, discern God and His will in your life. Allow Him to make you His hands and feet in the world. Learn to let go of yourself so you can truly become His.
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