We are 3 days into the Lenten season and many more weeks to go before we get to celebrate that great solemnity of Easter.
In the meantime, what we to do with that great call that comes out during this period that urges us into prayer, fasting and almsgiving? What can we do for our spiritual preparation the midst of the Pope's sudden declaration of his resignation and of the coming episcopal ordination of the Archbishop-Coadjutor?
If we follow the series of readings that began the Lenten season, starting with Ash Wednesday and moving to today's, we can draw out several important themes which we can meditate on:
Ash Wednesday:
Let your hearts be broken, not your garments torn.
Yesterday:
choose life, then, so that you and your descendants may live in the love of God.
Today:
A humbled contrite heart, O Lord, you will not spurn.
Any activity or experiences that we encounter or engage in and for-whatever reasons you may do so, for health purposes or personal, in order for real spiritual growth and value in them, there ought to be practical changes in our hearts that would lead us to a deeper conversion of our lives. It is not about becoming a perfect person but developing a heart that is humble, docile and contrite in such manner that we can act more justly in our hearts, in our choices, in our generosity, especially to those in need around us.
Pope Benedict XVI, in his last Wednesday Audience, remarked in his homily that Jesus denounced the following - religious hypocrisy, behaviour that wants to show off, attitudes that seek applause and approval - and goes on to say "... that a true disciple does not serve himself or his public, but his Lord, in simplicity and generosity". Wise and accurate words indeed from someone who, for all his life, did just that - serving the Lord in simplicity, generosity and with great humility. We must follow these crucial hallmarks of true and authentic Christianity and not get with all kinds of programme set by human effort or see problems as something that can be solved purely by human ingenuity unaided by grace.
The Pope as he leaves his pontificate, knows very well that all of this is about God, not about any of us, and not about Benedict himself. The Pope’s humility underlines to us the grandeur and goodness of God, the same God who calls us into question as we allow ourselves into a deeper and realistic relationship with Him.
Let this Lent then, become a time in which our hearts be drawn closer to our Lord's own heart.
Pope Benedict XVI, in his last Wednesday Audience, remarked in his homily that Jesus denounced the following - religious hypocrisy, behaviour that wants to show off, attitudes that seek applause and approval - and goes on to say "... that a true disciple does not serve himself or his public, but his Lord, in simplicity and generosity". Wise and accurate words indeed from someone who, for all his life, did just that - serving the Lord in simplicity, generosity and with great humility. We must follow these crucial hallmarks of true and authentic Christianity and not get with all kinds of programme set by human effort or see problems as something that can be solved purely by human ingenuity unaided by grace.
The Pope as he leaves his pontificate, knows very well that all of this is about God, not about any of us, and not about Benedict himself. The Pope’s humility underlines to us the grandeur and goodness of God, the same God who calls us into question as we allow ourselves into a deeper and realistic relationship with Him.
Let this Lent then, become a time in which our hearts be drawn closer to our Lord's own heart.
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1 comment:
hi Fr Aloy
my thoughts on the pope resignation.. the whols resifnation serves as a new evanglisation.. cos pple will be curious to see what this new elcetion on the poe is all abt.. this will lead to enquire abt catholicism..
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