Remain Faithful to the Plan

(Note:  For some unknown reason, yesterday's slice did not appear.  I hope it accompanies today's.)

 Luke 11: 29-32

The Sign of Jonah

²⁹ As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. ³⁰ For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. ³¹ The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom; and now something greater than Solomon is here. ³² The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now something greater than Jonah is here.

Lent began a week ago, with the sign of ashes proclaiming to others and to ourselves as well that the next forty days were going to be devoted to renewal of our relationship with Jesus through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. It's still early in Lent and we might have slipped here and there on our Lenten resolutions, but as Jonah pressed forward on his mission, although he first balked at it, may we return to our "program" as if it were the first day and press on.  God's grace is there to help us; the key is to rely on it rather than on ourselves. The "prize" is Jesus, and a life conformed more and more according to the outline he has left us. This is a time of training and practice; fidelity to and confidence in the help of Jesus will bring us to our desired goal.  Let us not grow weary or discouraged, Jesus is with us.

Bro. Rene