I was so encouraged by Fr.Alfonse's blog today (just like every other day, lol)...but this time I really felt called to share :)
http://fralfonse.blogspot.com/2012/03/john-314-21-god-loves-us.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DailyMeditationsWithFrAlfonse+%28Daily+Meditations+with+Fr.+Alfonse%29
I remember as I began preparing for Lent, looking into my interior life at all my attachments, "harmless" addictions, habits I can do without, struggles and wanting to pretty much change everything about me. It's so easy to notice areas of weakness and seek a sudden and complete transformation. But God helped me understand that some things take time, and that I need to let Him take the lead. And each day so far has been a gentle and rewarding reminder of that.
During Lent sometimes, it seems so natural to keep simply counting down the days and "wait it out", but God is always calling us to be active where we are at - here and now. To be fully committed to loving and serving Him in every way that we can. If we merely look forward to what comes after Lent, we will forget what our journey in the desert with Christ truly means.
God desires to use this time to transfigure us a little more in His image as we meditate on Christ - His temptation, passion, suffering, and death.
Our 40 days are about just that as well. Fighting temptation with the help of our Lord, dying to ourselves daily, and uniting ourselves to the suffering of Christ. The more I empty myself, the more God is able to fill me.
I'm realizing throughout the season the need to be a little kinder to my neighbor, a little more patient with those around me, a little more giving with my time, a little more reliant on God, a little less selfish and a little more selfless.
We've come so far on our Lenten journeys, but it's more important than ever to press on..to keep fighting the fight. And often the barriers like sin we're fighting comes in so many different disguises that we fail to recognize them. They can include neglecting the needs of others, hoarding God-given gifts of time and talent, and failing to pray. But St.Paul urges us to finish the race and persevere through God's grace and provision.
Praying for you as you seek Him.
