In Lent you provide me an opportunity for a change of heart so that I might grow even closer to you. Given my personality and history, it will not be so dramatic as St. Paul’s falling off his horse. It will probably come in small packages. It will probably not have much to do with plans I have made for Lent. It could have to do with the cross that I have been asked to bear. It could have to do with my health, my relationships in family, and in the communities in which I belong. Accepting the cross that God has asked me to bear gets me in touch with all of the suffering that is going on with people around the world. It also involves uniting my cross with Jesus. He is with me not only in good times but in times when I am vulnerable. Then I can grow closer to him as he changes my heart.
We experience with Christ his relationship with the Apostles as they abandon him and betray him. We experience the failure he experienced with not being able to reach the Jewish leaders. He experienced the physical pain as he was tortured and crucified by the Romans. He suffered everything that humans could experience except sin. By accepting our Cross, our Lent will lead to the new life and resurrection that he promised.
- What is the cross that you have been asked to bear?
- Have you asked God for the grace to give you strength?
- How is new spiritual growth possible through the cross?
O God, help me to accept the crosses in my life.