Today we begin the last week of Great Lent and it will take
as much focus this week as it did the first week. You can see Holy Week ahead
of the final lap, and you may be tempted to rationalize to yourself that since
you will be fasting next week, you can go easy this week. Fight the temptation.
Every day of fasting you offer to God is a blessing. Next week will come with
its own blessings, so you don’t want to give up this week’s blessings too soon.
Great Lent ends on Friday night, so spend this week
evaluating how successful you were during this year’s Great Lenten Journey. Did
you fast as you and your spiritual father had agreed? Did you pray as you and
your spiritual father had agreed? Have you done anything to care for the poor?
Just like any race, and Great Lent is most definitely a race of endurance, you
have a pit crew that is dedicated to helping you win the race. Touch base with
your spiritual father this week and make plans to finish the race on a good
note.
It isn’t a coincidence that Saint Paul compares the
spiritual life to a race. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the
race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4.7) You are in the final lap of Great
Lent. Keep the faith and you will cross the finish line prepared for Holy Week!
2 comments:
Read the April Transfiguration newsletter since my last post. Do you have this posted somewhere for readers on this site? It is helpful. - - - - I really like how the Church used to have morning and evening services and fellowship on more of a daily basis, as you wrote about in the newsletter. I can appreciate how people, especially those who don't have support at home, work, etc., could use this for support & growth in communion with God, as well as the parish community. Glory to God for all things.
The post is coming Holy Monday.......
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