bent on lent
"I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life." —Deuteronomy 30:19
On this second day of Lent, the Church challenges us to choose life, Lent, and salvation. If we don't want Lent, we can easily ignore it. If we don't want life and salvation, we can refuse them. We can either lose our life but gain everlasting life, or gain the whole world and lose our soul (Lk 9:24-25). The choice is ours, whether or not we want to choose. Many Christians don't reject Lent but don't accept it either. They're neither hot or cold about Lent, but lukewarm (Rv 3:16).
Jesus wants us to really get into Lent or forget it. He doesn't want us dabbling in Lent. So before this day ends, let's make a strong decision either for or against Lent. Hopefully, we will choose to have the greatest Lent of our lives, to fast in some way for all forty days of Lent, to deny ourselves, take up the cross each day and follow in Jesus' steps (Lk 9:23).
The Lord has chosen you and chosen to love and lead you in a special way this Lent. Choose Him; choose life; choose Lent.
Prayer: Jesus, because I need You desperately, I need Lent. I choose it. Amen.
Promise: "If you obey the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I enjoin on you today, loving Him, and walking in His ways, and keeping His commandments, statutes and decrees, you will live and grow numerous, and the Lord, your God, will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy." —Dt 30:16
Praise: The youngest member of the family, six-year-old Jack, inspired all by giving up dessert during Lent.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Apathy on audio AV 61-3 or video V-61.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 16, 2005
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