Sobering thought

It's always rather sobering and makes one reflect on their own life when the Holy Father speaks of something being at an "emergency level".

I think it would be difficult for people in the world today to say, if they really reflected upon it, that life is the same as it always has been. Yes, humans throughout the centuries have always had the same basic struggles and so therefore many of the same problems that we face today in 2008.

However, it seems to me, that people seem to be sensing that a decisive time is upon us. Somehow it seems like the things that are happening are very serious in the world and in no other time has Our Blessed Mother appeared so often, as she appearing in various parts of the world, even to this day. Her message is one of conversion, prayer, going to Confession, receiving the Eucharist worthily and offering sacrifices and penances for others still mired in the darkness. Hmm....not something that will be on CNN anytime soon.

As Lent approaches, the Season of Conversion, we might ask ourselves, "Am I converting or conforming?" Our Superior, Sr. Anne Marie Walsh, was just speaking on this very topic and I found it really fascinating.

We all know the appropriate ways to act and "appear holy." We can go to Sunday Mass or daily Mass and receive Jesus in the Eucharist and appear faithful, yet within our hearts, routine has replaced love. In a marriage and in religious life, the same thing can happen, on the surface it might be "just fine" but underneath resentments, bitterness, tiredness, and loneliness have taken their throne within us.

Jesus came that we might have life, that we might turn away from the sin in our lives and turn toward Him and who He is calling us to be. Honesty (which is humility, living in the Truth) is foundational in this process.

Lent allows us a look within, to see where we are conforming, appearing, wall-building, resenting and sets us free. Jesus calls us to convert everyday, to turn everyday toward Him and to have life everyday and always.

So perhaps before the next time we judge someone or criticize them, we might look within and see how we can help that person. Can we offer up this suffering for them? can we pray for them? Those things are truly love in action.

Let us allow ourselves to be converted, so we might have Life, and have it to the full.

If you are looking for a good book to read about the Mass, you might be interested in a little book entitled, If Your Mind Wanders At Mass. It contains short reflections on the Mass as a whole, how is shapes our entire life and examines each part of the Mass and explains it. It's simple and contains wonderful insights.

Comments

Bonnie B said…
your reflection helped me to try to be a better person.

keep me in your prayers.

klb

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Fr. Santan Pinto, SOLT 1948-2011