Formula For Lent, For Life

In just three sentences, Jesus gives us the formula for a well-spent Lent, and, to take it a step further beyond these six weeks, into life itself.  "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.  What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself? (Lk 9:23-25).
Self-denial, suffering, and following Jesus.  These are the effective three which help us "lose life" in order to "save it."  Most often, LIFE forces us into self-denial: a medical report of "high sugar" forces us to cut out sweets; arthritis, to limit or eliminate the daily, pleasurable jog.  An accident, and illness, even an occasional headache put us in the suffering bracket, as do disappointment. aging, sleep deprivation, or a natural disaster.  Turning from today's idols of immediate gratification and contemporary "comfort" and hedonism of all sorts...from drugs to the attitude that "anything goes", no rules of morality apply, we put following Jesus as our top priority and actually choose to perform little acts of self-denial and accept with an open heart, our daily sufferings..  Three approaches that can begin during Lent, but must continue beyond it for a fruitful Christian life.
Bro. Rene

Lent: Dying to Self; Rising with Christ

Today we begin our 40 days of praying, quietly reflecting, alms giving and acts of self denial (sacrifices) so that we might follow more closely the pattern Jesus gave us, for he "emptied himself," took on our human nature, and gave totally of himself, even to his death on the cross, so that we might rise to the new life, the new and eternal life which God from all eternity has destined for us.  Just as we periodically get a haircut, cut the grass or clean out the accumulated clutter in closets, attics, basements garages, offices, dens, kitchens and bedrooms, we make a concentrated six-weeks effort to trim and unclutter our souls, our lives, our thinking, so that we can more fully participate in the resurrection of Easter Sunday.  There should be some pushing, some effort, some straining, as any of the above tasks require, but Jesus reminds us that we should not look gloomy while doing them. (cf. Mt 6: 16-18).  Yes, ashes are a dark, stark reminder of who we are and what we are about to do for Lent, but we do not wear then on our lips.  Our smiles, our words, can be and should be cheery, for our hearts know that these days bring us closer to Jesus, whose longing to be with us far exceeds our longing to be with him.  Go Lent!
Bro. Rene

Leaving All

After hearing the exchange between Jesus and the Rich Young Man, Peter protests:  "We have given up everything and followed you." (Mk 10:28).  The implied question is, "What's in it for us?"  Peter is still learning and so are we.  There's no entitlement to having "left all" to follow Jesus.  Being a follower is a gift, and notably, not given to everyone.  All comes from God, so what we "give up" really belongs to God anyway.
With Lent beginning tomorrow, we still might be deciding what we are going to "give up" for Lent, and perhaps there's a hint in the background of "what will be my reward for 40 days of sacrifice, and self-inflicted deprivation?  There's no reward, other than what should be the purpose behind our giving up or leaving something behind: a purer heart and deeper relationship with Jesus, a more accurate reflection of him in our lives and actions. This, along with eternal life is the real "hundred-fold.
Bro. Rene

Looking For More

As we approach Ash Wednesday we might be, like the Rich Young Man, (Mk 10: 17-27) looking for what MORE we can do. Yes, we keep the commandments, and live as best we can, but what can we do beyond that to show our love for Jesus and desire for greater union with him, or to become more like him?  The young man addressed Jesus as "Good Teacher".  We too might want to be recognized as Good, and see Lent as a time to make that happen.  So often our expectations are far from reality, but we TRY.  Jesus was pleased with the man's desire and looked upon him with love, but then challenged him to take that further step by selling off his goods and following him. That was too much, and the flame of desire soon diminished into ash; the man turned away sad, and returned to his possessions.
What we need to do is examine what is holding us back from that BIG step.  Is it possessions? Is it reputation? Is it our will?  Our TIME?  Our need to be in control?  What is the stumbling block that prevents us from giving our All to Jesus, or becoming that Light for others that he IS?
Bro. Rene

The Blind Leading the Blind

Jesus asked, "Can a blind person guide a blind person?  Will not both fall into a pit? (Lk 6:39).  He continued, reminding his hearers of the speck in the eye vs. the beam, and the fruit of the tree revealing its worth.  When we look at ourselves, we seek weakness, blindness and beams, yet we can't be discouraged by them. No one is exempt from them; despite them and with we become more effective disciples for we deal with one another on an equal level. We proceed forward in humility and understanding of the complexity of our weakened human nature, and thus can have more effect than if we approached others from a "better-than-thou" stance. When we turn to Jesus for strength, sight and guidance, and receive it as who we are, real, genuine and credible people, we can be effective guides and inspirations to others.
Bro. Rene

A Kingdom For The Child

Jesus rebuked his disciples when they tried to prevent parents from bringing their children to Jesus so that he might touch them, cuddle them and bless them, for love, is conveyed strongly with a wordless touch, as we know. "Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it." (Mk 10:14-16).  As adults, we cannot revert back to childhood, but we can maintain the sense of wonder, freedom, inquisitiveness, creativeness, trust, joy and love that we find purely and innocently in the child e once were.. Adult child-likeness would make this world such a safe and happy place, we'd think we were in heaven already. '
Lent would be a good time to renew our "inner child", and move through the season with a positive, life-giving attitude that will be a precursor to Easter, and ultimately, to paradise.
Bro. Rene

The Bond of Friendship

Jesus speaks against divorce in Mark's gospel (Mk 10: 1-12).  The well known verses,  "the two shall become one flesh", and "what God has joined together, no man must separate" are part of the wedding ritual and carry a lot of the weight of this powerful, life-time commitment. Complimenting this passage, are the verses from the Book of Sirach, beautifully and poetically describing the gift of friendship:
A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter,
he who finds one finds a treassure.
A faithful friend is beyond price,
 no sum can balance his worth.
A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy,
such as he who fears God;
For he who fears God behaves accordingly
and his friend will be like himself.   (Sir 6: 14-17)
Often we hear, "My wife is my best friend," or, "My husband is my best friend."  Add God to this equation, and the marriage is on rock solid ground, making the question of divorce irrelevant.
God, bless married couples with the gift of deep friendship as well as the grace needed daily to help their relationship continue to grow so that they may weather life's ups, downs and turmoils, major or
petty, remaining faithful to their vows, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, till death do them part."
Bro. Rene