"What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself? (LK 9:25)"
We are not our own. We are not our own.
The more that we speak these words, the more they settle into our understanding of Lent. The reminder, that our profit as human souls is through the acquisition of heaven, is a reminder that one, heaven is our goal, and two, heaven is obtained when we forget ourselves. Even the heaven we yearn for on earth.
A few years ago, I was given the opportunity to serve with the Missionaries of Charity in New Mexico (Mother Teresa's order). And man, oh man, I was floored by their authenticity. Their work is: missionaries of charity for the poor, yet they live in poverty themselves. Enjoying no more than a roof over their heads, and warm food. In conversation with one of the missionaries, I learned that very few Americans "make it" through their novitiate as Missionaries of Charity and become fully professed. The reason for that is said not to be the lack of American faith, but rather, the lack of physical poverty (for the type of comforts that Americans have grown up in and around) is simply not conducive to the life of a Missionary of Charity.
That has been a reflection of mine during the beginning of the season of Lent...
Maybe that is why we struggle so much to give up certain comforts during this season. We have not practiced the act enough.
On a training run a few weeks ago, I was abruptly reminded of what spring in Wisconsin was like when I ran directly through a few very cold puddles. My toes screamed in pain and I immediately (as any zealous Catholic would do) tried to remind myself... "this can be a suffering for the Lord." ...A cold, pinching reminder of my humanity.
...and then I had a revelation...
The millions of times that I have run into something, spilled my coffee, head butted my dog (that really happened...), or been hurt in some way--physically or mentally, WHY is it that only when it's lent I actively tell myself that my suffering does not have to be simply something to wallow in?
Because we, as Americans, love to make excuses in order to justify the things that we squander.
So the beating heart of my prayer this lent is: "What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself? (LK 9:25)"
May the beating of your heart proclaim. "Lord, empty me of myself, so that I may be filled only with you. For the life devoted to the acquisition of heaven, on earth, will be my eternal profit."
The more that we speak these words, the more they settle into our understanding of Lent. The reminder, that our profit as human souls is through the acquisition of heaven, is a reminder that one, heaven is our goal, and two, heaven is obtained when we forget ourselves. Even the heaven we yearn for on earth.
A few years ago, I was given the opportunity to serve with the Missionaries of Charity in New Mexico (Mother Teresa's order). And man, oh man, I was floored by their authenticity. Their work is: missionaries of charity for the poor, yet they live in poverty themselves. Enjoying no more than a roof over their heads, and warm food. In conversation with one of the missionaries, I learned that very few Americans "make it" through their novitiate as Missionaries of Charity and become fully professed. The reason for that is said not to be the lack of American faith, but rather, the lack of physical poverty (for the type of comforts that Americans have grown up in and around) is simply not conducive to the life of a Missionary of Charity.
That has been a reflection of mine during the beginning of the season of Lent...
Maybe that is why we struggle so much to give up certain comforts during this season. We have not practiced the act enough.
On a training run a few weeks ago, I was abruptly reminded of what spring in Wisconsin was like when I ran directly through a few very cold puddles. My toes screamed in pain and I immediately (as any zealous Catholic would do) tried to remind myself... "this can be a suffering for the Lord." ...A cold, pinching reminder of my humanity.
...and then I had a revelation...The millions of times that I have run into something, spilled my coffee, head butted my dog (that really happened...), or been hurt in some way--physically or mentally, WHY is it that only when it's lent I actively tell myself that my suffering does not have to be simply something to wallow in?
Because we, as Americans, love to make excuses in order to justify the things that we squander.
So the beating heart of my prayer this lent is: "What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself? (LK 9:25)"
May the beating of your heart proclaim. "Lord, empty me of myself, so that I may be filled only with you. For the life devoted to the acquisition of heaven, on earth, will be my eternal profit."
