BE BETTER
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Lk 9:22-25
We hear the message, but we listen to the Messenger. We obey the message, but we follow the Messenger. We proclaim the message; we give witness to the Messenger.
The message is the Word of the Lord. The Messenger is the Lord of the Word. Because Jesus Christ is the Lord of the Word and the very Word Himself, the message and the Messenger are one in Him. He is the Messenger and the message Himself.
We do not profess faith in a set of theological doctrines only. Doctrines guide us, but it is Jesus who is the Way. We do not place our hope in a combination of holy words. Holy words inspire us, but it is Jesus who is the Truth. We do not give our love on a mere list of commandments, no matter how godly the commandments are. God’s commandments give life, but it is Jesus who is the Life. We believe in, we hope in, and we love a Person whose name is Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It is Him whom we follow.
To follow Jesus is to become another Jesus. To follow Him means to have His mind, His heart, and His Spirit. We follow Jesus when we live His life, we share His death, and we proclaim His resurrection by words and deeds. It means that we have to go through our own paschal mystery in life as Jesus went through His.
What is the center of our faith? The Paschal Mystery of Christ is the core of our faith: “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.” This is the heart of Christian discipleship. We must, therefore, die and rise again until we meet the Lord when He returns. This is what the Lenten season means.
Lent is not about self-mortification per se. Lent involves self-mortification only insofar as self-mortification renews the life of Christ within us through our authentic conversion from sin.
Yes, the Lenten season calls us to pray, to do penance, and to give alms or to perform charitable acts. But we get it all wrong if all we do during Lent is pray more, sacrifice more, and give more alms. It is not the “more” that converts us and therefore renews us. Rather, it is praying better, sacrificing better, and giving better that Lent should teach us. It is the “better” that converts us and renews the life of Christ that is already in us through baptism.
When Easter comes, we will be happy to have more Christians. But having better Christians will make us happier. Better Christians are those in whom, like Jesus, the message and the Messenger are one.
Lk 9:22-25
We hear the message, but we listen to the Messenger. We obey the message, but we follow the Messenger. We proclaim the message; we give witness to the Messenger.
The message is the Word of the Lord. The Messenger is the Lord of the Word. Because Jesus Christ is the Lord of the Word and the very Word Himself, the message and the Messenger are one in Him. He is the Messenger and the message Himself.
We do not profess faith in a set of theological doctrines only. Doctrines guide us, but it is Jesus who is the Way. We do not place our hope in a combination of holy words. Holy words inspire us, but it is Jesus who is the Truth. We do not give our love on a mere list of commandments, no matter how godly the commandments are. God’s commandments give life, but it is Jesus who is the Life. We believe in, we hope in, and we love a Person whose name is Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It is Him whom we follow.
To follow Jesus is to become another Jesus. To follow Him means to have His mind, His heart, and His Spirit. We follow Jesus when we live His life, we share His death, and we proclaim His resurrection by words and deeds. It means that we have to go through our own paschal mystery in life as Jesus went through His.
What is the center of our faith? The Paschal Mystery of Christ is the core of our faith: “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.” This is the heart of Christian discipleship. We must, therefore, die and rise again until we meet the Lord when He returns. This is what the Lenten season means.
Lent is not about self-mortification per se. Lent involves self-mortification only insofar as self-mortification renews the life of Christ within us through our authentic conversion from sin.
Yes, the Lenten season calls us to pray, to do penance, and to give alms or to perform charitable acts. But we get it all wrong if all we do during Lent is pray more, sacrifice more, and give more alms. It is not the “more” that converts us and therefore renews us. Rather, it is praying better, sacrificing better, and giving better that Lent should teach us. It is the “better” that converts us and renews the life of Christ that is already in us through baptism.
When Easter comes, we will be happy to have more Christians. But having better Christians will make us happier. Better Christians are those in whom, like Jesus, the message and the Messenger are one.
posted by Fr. Bobby @ 4:00 PM
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