Jesus said to his disciples and all who could hear him: “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Lk 9:23). We can best take up our cross daily by putting into practice the three pillars of Lent offered yesterday, almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. These disciplines aid us in resisting the temptations to pride, power, pleasure, honor, and wealth.

May we make some time today to be still, to breath deeply, and pray about how we can put them into practice for these next forty days.

May we resist our sinful inclination to be indifferent or fearful of being present to those in need in our realm of influence, and may we instead ask God to give us the discernment and the eyes to see who among us are in need, and the courage to act, to be present with, and to give of ourselves to others.

May we commit to pray throughout the day. This often is accomplished best if we schedule set times each day to meditate on the readings of Lent, be still and rest in the Lord before the Eucharist in adoration or present in the tabernacle, pray the rosary, walk or sit among the beauty of God’s creation, and/or spend some quiet time reading a spiritual book, or the life of a saint.

May we also evaluate what we consume, what time and energy we expend, and discern, what we can fast from. Define the types of food that really aren’t healthy for us (chips!), what activities that we can let go of so we can devote more time to practices that empower, encourage, lift up others as well as ourselves. We can fast from thinking, speaking, or acting in any way that is unkind, belittling, or demeaning.

A key point in helping Lent not be a drudgery or a period of time to endure until it is over, is that when we fast from something put something else in its place that will help build a foundation for a closer walk with Jesus. Jesus asks us to take up his cross and follow him, meaning to discipline ourselves so as to free ourselves from that which enslaves us. May we embrace opportunities to give of our time, talent, and treasure to building up those in our realm of influence, to pray each day at set times and on a consistent basis. May we not only fast from: chips, but have cucumber or apple slices; from derogatory words, but choose to use encouraging and supportive words instead; and from looking out for ourselves first, and seeking instead to will the good of others. Let us take up our cross so to know better the One who died on the cross for us.

Let us keep in prayer today the community of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. May God the Father welcome into his eternal embrace those who died yesterday, may the Holy Spirit bring healing to those recovering physically, psychologically, and spiritually. May Jesus who endured the weight of the cross, guide us along a path that will lead us out of this cycle of violence.

Photo: Jesus falls, Mission San Luis del Rey de Francia, Oceanside, CA

Link for the Mass reading for Thursday, February 15, 2018:

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021518.cfm