"The purpose of the first part of Lent is to bring us to compunction. Compunction is etymologically related to the verb to puncture and suggests the deflation of our inflated egos, a challenge to any self-deceit about the quality of our lives as disciples of Jesus. By hitting us again and again with demands which we not only fail to obey, but which we come to recognize as being quite beyond us, the gospel passages are meant to trouble us, to confront our illusions about ourselves.
"Remember, you are dust... From this perspective, Lenten penance may be more effective if we fail in our resolutions than if we succeed, for its purpose is not to confirm us in our sense of virtue but to bring home to us our radical need of salvation."
In other words, perfect penitential practice that feeds the ego has utterly failed, while a failed effort at penance, recognized and humbly acknowledged, has the potential for deeper reliance on God's mercy, which is pure grace.
Some observations about myself. The one success I can count on is how much I utterly fail at trying to be a disciple of Christ. Secondly, I feel Lent happens for me all year long. Everyday I vow to live more like Christ. After the first 15 minutes of waking I'm already on my way for failure. God's mercy is the only thing I can hope for. If I can only can learn to accept it.
Click on the bible in the pumpkin above for this coming Sunday's readings and brief commentary on them...
HOMILY: Only the wise see the folly which escapes the foolish...
A prayer for when you're worried, anxious, afraid...
Help for Haiti
Reach out to the people of Haiti with health care, education and community development through Health Equity International (formerly known as the St. Boniface Haiti Foundation).
Some observations about myself. The one success I can count on is how much I utterly fail at trying to be a disciple of Christ. Secondly, I feel Lent happens for me all year long. Everyday I vow to live more like Christ. After the first 15 minutes of waking I'm already on my way for failure. God's mercy is the only thing I can hope for. If I can only can learn to accept it.
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