Dear Sisters and Brothers, May the Peace and Love of Christ fill your hearts!
As we
journey through the second day of Lent, the Lord lays before us a fundamental choice: to embrace life or to face death. While this may sound paradoxical,
every moment of our day is defined by the choices we make. From the time we
rise in the morning to when we lay our heads down at night, our decisions, rooted
in our values and convictions, shape not only our own lives but also the fabric
of our society.
In
the words of Moses found in Deuteronomy and the teachings of Christ in the
Gospel of Luke, we are called to reflect deeply on the choice between life and
death, blessings and curses, self-preservation and self-sacrifice. Lent
transcends mere external practices; it invites us into a significant time of
personal reflection and introspection. It is our opportunity to realign our
hearts with the God who offers us the gift of true and everlasting life. Let us
choose wisely.
The words of Deuteronomy speak to us today: "See, I
have set before you today life and good, death and evil." The Lord
does not impose His will; instead, He invites us to choose. He does not coerce
but gently calls us. To choose life means to walk in His ways, to listen to His
voice, and to dwell in His love. However, the alternative is also real, turning
away from Him results in self-ruin. This doesn't stem from God's desire to
punish us, but rather from the truth that rejecting Him is to turn away from
the very source of life.
How
often do we, whether aware or unaware, make choices that draw us away from Him?
Lent offers us a precious opportunity to return, to listen with fresh ears, and
to recognize that in every decision, big or small, we are deciding between a
path that leads us closer to God and one that pulls us away from Him. Let us
choose wisely and embrace the life He offers.
Choosing life is not merely about adhering to commandments;
it is about fully surrendering to the One who is Life itself. This principle
lies at the very heart of Christ’s teaching in the Gospel (Luke 9:22-25). Jesus
teaches us that true life is not found in clinging to our own desires but in
embracing the profound mystery of the cross. "Whoever wishes to save
his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it."
In
this statement, we find the paradox of the Christian journey: the way to life
passes through self-denial, and true freedom is achieved through surrender. It
is through letting go of our own agendas and embracing His will that we come to
experience the fullness of life He offers. Let us open our hearts to this
transformative truth and follow the path He lays before us.
Lent challenges us with a vital truth. It is a time to
break free from the illusion that we can secure our lives by clinging to
comfort, power, or earthly security. Christ walked the path of self-emptying
love, not because suffering is inherently good, but because only a love that
gives itself completely can bring forth new life. He does not ask us to bear
the cross alone; He walks alongside us, empowering us in our fasting, our
prayer, and our acts of mercy.
To
choose life, then, is to choose the cross, not as a crushing burden, but as the
path to resurrection. Lent invites us to make this crucial choice: will we
cling to what is temporary, or will we trust the One who calls us to something
eternal? The world tempts us with promises of fulfillment through comfort
and self-preservation, but it is Christ alone who offers a life that transcends
all endings. Let us have the courage to embrace this call.
Today,
we find ourselves in the same position as the people of Israel and the
disciples of Jesus, listening intently to the voice of the Lord. He continues
to speak to us: “I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse.
Choose life.” However, choosing life necessitates choosing Him, and
choosing Him means embracing the cross.
May
this Lenten journey take us beyond mere sacrifices and lead us into the joy of
surrender, the richness of true discipleship, and the fullness of life that can
only be found in Christ. Let us open our hearts to this transformative
invitation and walk together on the path He has laid out for us.
Let
us pray:
Heavenly
Father,
As
we embark on this Lenten journey, guide us to choose life in every moment. Help
us to embrace the cross with open hearts, recognizing that true life and joy
come from surrendering to You. Strengthen us in our struggles and grant us the
grace to walk the path of true discipleship. May we find fulfillment not in
worldly comforts, but in the fullness of life found in Your love.
We
make our prayers through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.🙏🙏🙏
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