Third Week of Lent

John 2:16 - ‘Take these things out of here!’

It will take too long. I can’t spare it. I don’t know anybody. I am just too busy. How many excuses can you think of to put forth as reasons why you should say no to the call of Jesus Christ? Wait. You didn’t know to whom those responses were directed? We say no to many things and many people, but we wouldn’t say no to Jesus. Really?

During this Lenten season, like all the other seasons, we will be asked to respond in many different ways. There will be fasting, almsgiving, and abstinence from certain foods. There will be invitations to various devotions and formational studies. We will be asked to reflect on our faith and then dive deeper.

The argument will be made by some that many of these things are being asked of us by others and not Jesus. Of course, that will just be another excuse like those above. For every calling upon us comes with a temptation to take the easy way out or to minimize the value of the request.

We will stay caught up in an endless cycle of excuses that lead us nowhere. That is unless we simply choose to stop the madness and say YES! This Lent, give up and give in. Let God take over as you surrender all you are and have to Him. Now is the time to turn to Jesus. No more excuses.                              Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS

Father, open my heart. Help me to stay the course, to fast and seek to empty myself of those things that come between us. Give me a heart that listens to you. Help me to look outwards, beyond my excuses, to the needs of others.

• What are my excuses, those things and busyness that come between me and Jesus?
• What will I fill the space that fasting and abstinence gifts me with?
• Could I attain genuine holiness? How?

The Audacity of Holiness

Do you know a holy person? I’m not talking about piety — that’s important, too, in its own way. But right now, I’m speaking of holiness.

St. Therese of Lisieux called holiness “a disposition of the heart that makes us humble and little in the arms of God, aware of our weakness, and confident — in the most audacious way — in His Fatherly goodness.”

The holy person sees a storm on the horizon of life, and rather than give themselves over to fear and despair (natural and understandable reactions), regards the gathering winds as an opportunity to rely more fully on God. The holy person takes a bad situation and sanctifies it with charity and understanding that defies our fallen human nature.

God’s hand is always outstretched to us. Will we take it, even when sin and pride and worldly concerns tempt our souls? Will we muster the strength? Will we be audacious enough to have confidence in His Fatherly goodness?                                                                                                      Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS ©LPi


Lord, I pray

That during these forty days of fasting sand abstinence, penance and prayer that I may become more and more like Jesus.

Help me as I work to yield to the Holy Spirit’s work within. I pray that I can learn to walk in spirit and truth and to submit to Your guidance in my life.

I ask that You search my heart and point out all that is displeasing to You. Lead me in the path of righteousness, for His name sake.  Amen.

Don't forget about our Stations of the Cross video, as well as links to other videos of the Stations.

If you sign up for a free FORMED subscription (click here to find out how), you can watch the 4-part video series, Living Lent as a Family.

This link is a page of Lent Resources created by the Diocese of London.  It includes some activities and answers to common questions, as well as a video message from Bishop Fabbro.