Lenten Reflection for February 23rd

Ever since I was a child I’ve been in a ‘love - hate’ relationship with books. I’ve always loved reading and from the time I was first able to pick up a book and to this very day I love to read anything I can get my hands on. I just hate how I don’t have enough room on my bookshelves for all the books I have, or books I would like to add to my library. Due to my love of reading, I had quite a penchant for English Literature when I was in school

I recently read an amusing quote that expressed something along the lines of, Don't mess with an English major. They keep lots of useless facts trapped in their heads. Once in a while they let some of it out and you’ll end up stunned.  Acquiring knowledge is exciting, information we collect over the years can be useless but entertaining or it can be quite helpful.

Sometimes the Knowledge we receive from the Holy Spirit isn’t meant just to be kept for ourselves and pondered in our heart, it is meant to be shared with others, whether a specific person or for the benefit of others in general.

We can discern that knowledge we gain is inspired by the Holy Spirit when we find it will be helpful and transformative through showing love. Saint Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, “...we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; but anyone who loves God is known by him.” (1 Corinthians 8:1-3)

Knowledge for the sake of knowledge can be empty, but when we share knowledge inspired by the love Christ has shown for us, it becomes a way to transform the world.

Let’s pray to have our ears, heart and mind inclined to the Lord, listening for the Spirit and using the knowledge we have been given as a gift of love to those we encounter.

God bless you!

For our younger brothers and sisters in Christ:

Learning is wonderful. Throughout our life we can gain knowledge in many different areas. 

What’s even better is learning something that we can share with others which can be helpful to them in their life and shows God’s love.

Saint Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying, “...Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up…” (1 Corinthians 8:1)Just knowledge on its own can be empty, but when we use knowledge we’ve been given with love, it can transform hearts and lives.

When we are able to help work on a project at school with a fellow student or share kind and comforting words to someone who is feeling down, this shows the Gift of Knowledge that is inspired by the Holy Spirit in our everyday life.

Let’s pray to be mindful of using the Knowledge we have received with love for one another.

Blessings!