Lenten Joy?

Embodying the Love of Jesus

Who remembers watching Bishop Fulton Sheen on TV when you were growing up? Think about how ahead of his time he was by using the new media of television to get God’s Word out! I was always impressed during commercials that his “angel” would clean the blackboard (they did not have white boards back then). I recall being mesmerized by him and how familiar he was talking about and loving God. When I ran across this quote, I thought it was appropriate for Lent. To give so much of yourself helping others that your hands would have scars on them. Being of service so much that your feet would be wounded. Finally, having reached out so much and helped others causing your heart to open wider and deeper in divine love. What can I do to make these words come true? Will God ask me these questions when my life is over? How might I accomplish this during Lent and how joyous Easter will be if I make the effort? What Gospel verse and message can you emit to the world this week of Lent? How can we use our modern media to get God’s Word out?

A Willingness to Be Transformed

As we prepare to enter into this, the holiest of weeks, our hearts are full of all that has happened since we began this Lenten journey.  The commentary in a past Lenten missalette says: “Let us enter this week with hearts willing to be transformed again by a paschal love that has the power to lift us from the grave of sin and into the light and life that come only from God.”                     

“…hearts willing to be transformed again…”  Transformation is hard work.  All our prayers, fasting and almsgiving these past weeks have been to help open us up to our need and the world’s need for this paschal love.  We know it is God who first loved us, who calls us to open our hearts to that love and to let it transform us and others. How difficult it is to understand and believe in such a love! And yet, this week we celebrate the fact that God sent the Son to identify with each of us in an unbelievable act of love.           

Where I once celebrated weekday Eucharist, a blind man was also often present.  At communion time he needed someone’s assistance to come forward.  As I witnessed this and reflected upon it, I realized that this is what we are each called to do daily.  Our words and actions lead others closer to the love God offers and we also rely on others to reflect the love of God they hold, back to us, for us.                  

As we enter into this Holy Week and the graced time of General Chapter that will soon follow, let us rejoice in the love of our God and of those whom we call our sisters and brothers.

Blessings this Holy Week!