February 14, 2010: 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Pray and think about what you will do this Lent in order to grow closer to Jesus.

Jesus looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven;…” (Luke 6:20-26)

Read the rest of this section of Luke’s gospel that we call the Beatitudes. You don’t normally think of poverty, hunger, sadness, etc., as blessings. But, Jesus is telling us that if we experience any of these things because of our love for him and because we follow him, then we are blessed. On the other hand, if we have many blessings but Jesus is not at the center of our lives, all the blessings in this world won’t mean a thing.

Action:

Lent is a time to do without things, or sacrifice, in order to grow closer to Jesus. One suggestion was made last week, how you might become a more loving, Christ-like person. Lent starts this week, on Ash Wednesday. In the next couple of days decide what you will do this Lent in order to grow closer to Jesus.