Lenten Devotional, Discussion thought:

Love for God invites us to shoulder the Cross squarely: to feel on our back the weight of the whole human race, and to fulfil, in the circumstances of our own situation in life and the job we have, the clear and at the same time loving designs of the Will of the Father.(1)

We are in Lent, a time where many people sacrifice something for a season, in order that they can focus more clearly on God.  Sometimes these things are things we are mildly addicted to – (see the list above ) or aren’t the greatest things for us.

As I look at the quote of St Josemaria above, I find a sacrifice that is harder than the minor addictions.  Like yesterday’s sermon, I wonder if we do see the weight of the world that Christ bore, that as we are in Him, as His will becomes our will?  Do we weep, as Paul did, over the enemies of the cross of Christ, as we realize what they are missing?  Or as Jesus did, as He expresses the desire that the people of God (i.e. Jerusalem) would respond to His offers of compassion and mercy?

Hear clearly, bearing the weight of Christ’s cross doesn’t mean we have to be crucified, but we are untied, we become one with His as He is.  We understand why – the great love which would result in joy as people are freed from bondage to sin.  We begin to see that our enemy isn’t the flesh and blood that irritate and antagonizes and pushes the buttons that set off our anger, our desire for vengeance, but Satan.

We realize that God’s desire, His will, is that those people come to know Him, that they hear His word, often because we are the ones who are sent, and make sacrifices, that they can.

There is a Lenten sacrifice that will bear much fruit…or…bacon.

Lord have mercy on us, that we might show Your mercy to this world!

(1)  Escriva, Josemaria (2011-01-31). The Forge (Kindle Locations 2925-2927). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.