Lenten Meditations- Part 2

When I give conferences and lead retreats in my line of work, I look for the right thoughts that will give people something worthwhile to consider. As Lent begins I want to offer some insights I have gleaned from my ten-year tenure in catechetical work and retreat ministry. I want to offer them humbly as small pearls for meditation. Please use them as you see fit, like small steps on Jacob’s ladder which raises the mind to divine things. May your Lent be blessed with joy and eternal bliss.

#7 Building Momentum

True success never happens all at once. A great deal depends on our circumstances and much more depends on our attitude. Never think that one choice or breakthrough will change everything. Whatever path you are on will keep unfolding. It takes constant small steps to lead to longer strides to keep on the right path. Imagine that every action you take, no matter how small, helps you build momentum. Think of a flywheel. This is a part in a generator that takes time to start and spin. Once it is in full motion the momentum becomes self-sustaining and it can power a generator when it loses power. Alas, so it is with our spiritual lives. Jesus saves us in faith and works constantly in his bride, the Church. Our actions keep us united to the Church and to Christ. None of us can save ourselves. We need constant attention and good works to unite us to the Cross, the generator of our salvation.

Reflection Questions:

How do you keep momentum going in your Christian life? Can you keep making sacrifices every day to share in the power of the Cross?

# 8 Tiny Habits

Good Catholic authors write about the need for balance in life. The Rhythm of Life by Matthew Kelly explores this subject in depth. The right balance is different for each person and is an important rule for life nonetheless. When we rush into things we make gains that are immediate. Then we lose them afterward because of the unmaintainable strain. Some things will not be worth burning out over anyways. Stop doing more. Keep a stop doing list for all the things that drain you and aren’t worth the time invested. Look at all the things you can do right now and take a small step toward worthwhile endeavors, and a large jump away from those things that drain you. Treat time as a sacramental sign that ought to be used well. It is precious and is not to be wasted.

Reflection Question:

Are you able to take gradual steps in faith instead of rushing into every commitment or new idea?

# 9 Daily March

No person can have a healthy life without discipline. It is that simple. Jesus kept himself to a healthy discipline of prayer in solitude and of preaching and healing after it. The Apostle Paul wrote that he exercised his body and kept himself ready for the Lord’s day. All this taken together means that we are meant to keep ourselves in order. If you are married and have kids, make up a schedule for your whole family to come together and pray regularly. What a beautiful grace it is for a family to pray together and be formed in the devout life. I encourage you, as one who needs Christian discipline as much as anyone else, to set out a spiritual discipline every day. Write out your “marching orders” every morning. Lee Ivy taught his consultants to write out a task list every day. He would say to write six things down to do for the day, and then do them in that order. I suggest writing down six things to do and write a 7^th as a prayer practice. This seventh task is the most important. It comes last on the list and is still the most important. Prioritize your prayer above all else. This is the best ingredient to a healthy Christian discipline.

Reflection Question:

What is your daily march that keeps your life in order in the middle of chaos? Why not place your daily time in prayer as the most important thing you do?

# 10 Who first, then What.

The people we have around us are important. To have an important goal, inspiration, a beautiful dream. All of these can inspire us. It is even more important to be around the right people. Saint John Paul II quoted a Polish proverb in saying, “We resemble the company we keep.” The Church is the Body of Christ. To be a member in it we need to know we are not alone. We pray personally. We do not worship privately, however. For this meditation, focus on who in your life influenced you to be better. Who acted as Christ for you. This is more important than what you do or accomplish. Remember those who helped you to find Christ. Always remember the Saints, whose Communion we are privileged to take part in.

Reflection Questions:

Who have been the people in your life that Christ used to bring you closer to Himself?

Reflect on this and ask yourself what you can do to keep in the company of people who genuinely inspire you to be like Christ.

#11 The Right Kind of Ambition

St. Therese of Lisieux kept locks of her hair in the hope she would become a saint. That would leave relics behind for devotion for others. This act seems bizarre to us. Really, it is good hope for a Catholic. She had the right kind of ambition. In business, companies will often look for people with the right kind of ambition. This kind of person is humble and wants the company or group to succeed. They are not out for their own ego or glory. This person practices personal humility and strong will for others’ benefit. I believe this is a necessary part of Christian life. The “secret sauce” of sanctity is given its proper taste when our ambition is centered on this. Will the good of the other. This, as Aquinas wrote, is true Christian charity. No, you do not need forsake yourself for others benefit. You will find more grace when you seek to love others as yourself. This was the ambition of Therese, and she inspired countless people to live as Christ.

Reflection Questions:

How have the qualities of humility and good will influenced your life?

Who have you known that embodied these qualities?

#12 Loving the Journey

Motivation itself can fail. When you focus on motivating yourself to do something it is easy to give up once the enthusiasm fades. Focusing on the goal or end we have can fade to. Different sources on motivation and self-improvement inform people to focus on the process of our work instead of the reward we are seeking. In the Christian life, this means choosing to embrace the journey we have before us. What we go through is part of the process of conversion. God is using both our highs and lows to help us grow. I say in Christian love, do not give up. Embrace the process of penance. Embrace conversion. Above all, embrace the journey with Christ through the desert and into the Passion to the glory of Easter Sunday!

Reflection Questions

What do you love? Do you love the idea of Heaven and eternal bliss? Do you love the satisfaction of acting like a Christian? Can you choose to love the process of your own conversion, which happens every minute of every day?