There are many twists and turns in our journey of life. Often these twists and turns lead us into places and situations we didn’t anticipate, and we must adjust our life or make changes. Some changes make us better, they are joyful, and we can see the beauty of God at work in our life. Some changes are difficult, and they force us to be strong, they draw us out of ourselves to experience life in way we have never seen. God is always at work in our lives, even when it may be a more difficult to see the beauty. Some changes challenge us to rise to an occasion, and in the end, we are somehow different. If we follow God’s plan and if we follow the Truth of the Gospel, we will be changed for the better. God’s plan for us is more than what we settle for in our everyday journey. We are made for more.
As we begin Lent, we enter another special time of reflection. Let us pray that the Lord will show us changes that we need to make and reveal ways that we could love like Him, forgive like Him, serve like Him, and give like Him. Remember that each time we encounter Christ in the Eucharist we are changed. As we encounter Christ in the Eucharist, draw near to Him, and allow him to bring a twist or turn to your journey of life. In our 40 days of Lent, let us allow ourselves to encounter Christ, to rise to an occasion, to help someone else, to be strong and to be forever changed.
Here’s what the Scriptures have to say…
Isaiah 64:7 – O Lord, you are our father; we are the clay and you the potter: we are all the work of your hands.
Romans 12:9-21– Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation. Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all. If possible, on your part, live at peace with all. Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance in mine, I will repay says the Lord.” Rather, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good.
John 15: 1-5 – “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.