Lenten Reflection for February 21st

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus shares this parable about a faithful or unfaithful slave;

“Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that wicked slave says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 24:45-51)

When I was young my parents were often called to missionary work. Sometimes near, sometimes in far off countries. When my older brother and I were at a young age there were times we were not able to travel with them so we would stay with family friends or have them come and stay with us.

When we were in our teens, we had shown ourselves to be responsible and conscientious. With my brother earning his driver’s license and being able to get groceries or drive in case of emergencies, my parents felt assured we would be fine without a ‘baby-sitter’ anytime they needed to travel in future. 

The rules of our home were simple: go to school, come straight home, no friends over at our house, no staying over at our friends homes without our parents permission and knowledge. Do our homework and chores and eat healthy meals. We followed the rules pretty well, the exception being a couple of dinners consisting of sugary cereal and ice cream as a treat. 

I recall when my friends at school found out my parents had left us alone at home, they were completely flummoxed at us being allowed to live on our own for a few days or even weeks at a time. ‘You should totally throw a massive party!’ my friends exclaimed. 

I would look back at them with the same bewilderment as they had expressed to me and asked, ‘Why would I do that? Why would I break that trust from my parents?’ I would never be allowed to have that independence as a teen again, and if that was their first reaction to parents being away, I could understand why their parents would never let them stay home alone!

My brother and I chose to be wise in how we treated those times when my parents weren’t at home. We chose to be faithful in obedience to what they instructed us to do. Part of that obedience was because we knew there could be dangerous situations if we didn’t listen, and certainly there would be stern consequences if we disobeyed! The positive side is that we had our parents trust in us to be responsible in both the small matters, as well as bigger matters.

Wisdom helps us to grow in the Spirit’s Fruit of Faithfulness to God and in our trust to obey Him and his commands. Let’s pray to be like the wise slave, doing our work for the Master’s glory and receiving His blessings. 

God bless you!

Lenten Reflection for February 20th

Mother Angelica was an American nun of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration. She was the founder of the Catholic television network EWTN and was best known for hosting the television programme Mother Angelica Live. The television show was filled with reflection, wisdom and of course, humour. A quote I recently came across her saying on the show was, “It’s hard to love someone… you wish would slip on a banana peel.”

There are times when showing care and kindness to others will be a difficult task. There are times in our human nature, we won’t feel very agreeable to those who might frustrate us and test our patience. 

One aspect of the Spirit of Goodness is that we feel inspired to show kindness, mercy and compassion to those around us. To share a part of the goodness we have found through Christ with any we encounter.

Peter’s first epistle shares this reminder for us, “Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”” (1 Peter 1:14-16)

When we experience and share goodness from God, given to us through the Spirit, it is transformed into a holiness which will transform not only ourselves, but the world around us. Especially when it is hard for us to do so and we show that kindness anyway.

Another poignant reminder from Mother Angelica,

“You think chocolate was the best thing you could ever give up for Christmas or for your Lent, rather? You know, that's not the point. Why don't you be sweet to you neighbour, see? Be a chocolate to your neighbour…I just thought of that, you know. But why not? Be a chocolate to your neighbour. Do something nice to the one you dislike so much.”

Let’s strive to pray to recognise the Goodness we have been shown, and to share it in each encounter we have.

God bless you!

Lenten Reflection for February 19th

Once there was a contest in which a king offered a prize to an artist who could best paint a depiction of ‘peace’. Many artists participated and submitted their masterpieces.

Among the paintings, two stood out in particular. One picture was of a calm lake, surrounded by majestic, snow-capped mountains with a calm, blue sky and fluffy clouds overhead.

The picture was exceptional. Most of those looking over the paintings from different artists thought that this painting was the best among all others.

But the king had another winner in mind. To everyone’s surprise, the painting that won was also of a mountain, but the painting was more plain and rugged than the other piece.

The sky was stormy and looked angry because there was lightning. It was exactly the opposite of what peace should look like. The others thought that maybe the artist submitted a wrong painting showing a tumultuous storm rather than a peaceful landscape.

What the others didn’t notice was when looking closely at the painting, there was a tiny bush growing in the cracks of a rock. In that bush, there was a nest and in the midst of the stormy weather, the bird sat at peace in her nest.

Where do we find peace when our lives are in the midst of storms? Praying for an increase of the gift of Wisdom can help to calm our heart.

Saint Paul reminds us of this in his letter to the Philippians, “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

When we seek and ask for Wisdom from the Lord, our heart will grow in assurance from the Holy Spirit in knowing that God’s ways are good, His path for us straight and foundation firm.

Jesus, we trust in you!

God bless you.