Christ is our Good Shepherd and we are His sheep. Those sheep on the outskirts of the fold can easily stray, being separated from the very person, the shepherd, who provides for their existence. But those in the center of the fold remain close to the shepherd and have less risk of harm or being cut off from him. Am I willing to remain in the center of the fold with Him?
The profundity of Christ’s mercy can be life changing if we allow it to sink in. Even when we are left to the natural consequences of our sin, in His mercy Jesus spares us the full impact of those consequences. He permits that which He can later use to bring us back into covenant with Him.
It is a paradoxical truth that between suppression of the past and obsession with the future lies the present moment where grace abounds.
For too many years I merely saw Easter as a relief from fasting and abstaining while I rushed to the freezer to thaw out my favorite chocolate candies! Now instead of chocolates, the paradox of the Cross cries out for my attention.
Lent is a time to reflect upon how we have changed in relation to God. It is a time to ask the question: Do I want to look Catholic or be Catholic?
Laetare Sunday is our day to recollect in the reality of true love existing in a hostile world. Jesus chose to suffer and die for us so that one day we will be resurrected in Him and live eternally in praise of our Father. By His grace, we experience moments of that now; a foretaste of Heaven to help us persevere.
Abstaining from food is easy. But how willing am I to give up control of my life to God?
Observing the joy of a small child, I asked myself, “how long has it been since I have felt this free?”
Jesus has forewarned us that anyone who exalts himself will be humbled and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted. To climb this ladder of humility to Heaven takes discipline. We must be patient and persevere quietly through all afflictions.
In our dying breath Jesus won’t ask our rationale for any of our poor choices. He will ask:
“Why were you willing to risk losing Me for eternity?