Daily Retreat 02/26/09
2009 Feb 26 Thu: Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Dt 30: 15-20/ Ps 1: 1-2. 3. 4 and 6/ Lk 9: 22-25
From today’s readings: “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, heeding His voice, and holding fast to Him.... Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked.... If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. ”
Moral Inventory
In addition to the prayer, fasting, and almsgiving recommended in the Gospel passage on Ash Wednesday, Lent is also a time for introspection, for taking an honest moral inventory of our lives. Are we choosing God, and life, and His blessings, or are we choosing death and the curse of separating ourselves from God?
This clear theme unites the scripture readings: the first psalm, the speech of Moses recorded in the book of Deuteronomy, and Christ’s frank presentation of the demands of discipleship all outline the essential central choice of life: turning toward God, or turning away from Him. The very first words of scripture proclaimed in Lent remind us of which choice God urges us to make:
“Even now,” says the LORD, “return to Me with your whole heart....”
Dt 30: 15-20/ Ps 1: 1-2. 3. 4 and 6/ Lk 9: 22-25
From today’s readings: “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, heeding His voice, and holding fast to Him.... Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked.... If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. ”
Moral Inventory
In addition to the prayer, fasting, and almsgiving recommended in the Gospel passage on Ash Wednesday, Lent is also a time for introspection, for taking an honest moral inventory of our lives. Are we choosing God, and life, and His blessings, or are we choosing death and the curse of separating ourselves from God?
This clear theme unites the scripture readings: the first psalm, the speech of Moses recorded in the book of Deuteronomy, and Christ’s frank presentation of the demands of discipleship all outline the essential central choice of life: turning toward God, or turning away from Him. The very first words of scripture proclaimed in Lent remind us of which choice God urges us to make:
“Even now,” says the LORD, “return to Me with your whole heart....”
posted by FrPitstick | 2/24/2009
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