Oftentimes in our struggles, we may feel that our faith is marked only by feelings of pain and affliction. However, in this week’s readings, we are invited to claim that the Lord promises us His everlasting Joy.
We experience His joy when we declare Him Lord over our lives. His Lordship is not one that harms. Instead, it loves, purifies and frees us. Pope Benedict XVI writes, “After Jesus has told us of the merciful Father, things are no longer as they were before”. When we come to know and encounter the redeeming love of God, we are transformed in an undeniable way.
As we freely receive this joy, we are also called to freely give this joy. Our hearts have been created to imitate the Lord’s – one that selflessly gives. Our giving to others expresses the truth of our beings and allows us to experience the fullness of life. While it is important to grow our interior lives this Lent, we are also invited to go beyond ourselves and be sensitive to our brothers and sisters who are in need. Let us respond with haste to the mission and readily partake in the salvific work of Christ!
Reflect and Act:
Pray and the Lord who you can bless with the Lord’s joy this coming week. It could be something simple like a prayer, checking-in, or a just simple text. Be creative!
#OYPWalkingThroughLent
