Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent

There are two words in the image above:
do you see them?

Are there ways in which the graphic illustrates your life?
Do you divide yourself into good and evil?
Are you at war with yourself?

Spend a few minutes with this excerpt from a rule for monastic life...

Don't carry on a futile battle against yourself,
don't divide yourself into good and evil.

Resist the temptation to analyze yourself -
turn your attention to the Lord instead,
and be deeply receptive.

Accept yourself in God's light
and concentrate on the mission
you have to accomplish.

- from the Rule for a New Brother

Although the quote above is from the rule for a community of Dutch religious brothers, it holds wisdom for us all. Waging a battle between "my good side and my bad side" is futile and indeed is a battle with myself as the enemy. Those who follow Jesus follow the One who has overcome evil - he is the Victor! Turning our attention to him puts us in the winner's corner and concentrating on what the Lord asks of us, our mission, keeps us in God's light. As Lent comes to a close (just a couple more weeks), how might I more closely focus my attention on the Lord? How might I be more receptive to his love? What analytical temptations do I need to decline? What mission is mine to accomplish?

-ConcordPastor