Presence

Dear Lord, help me to be open to You
for this time, as I put aside the cares of the world.
Fill my thoughts with Your peace, Your love.

Freedom

Lord, I let go of the worries, resentments and fears
that I can sometimes hold on to so tightly.
Let me open my hands and my heart to receive freely
all the gifts that I need at this time.

Consciousness

Heavenly Father, thank You that Your love never fails and that Your mercies are new every morning. May I never fail to turn to You with my needs, with my love.

The Word of God

¹At that very time there were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. ²He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? ³No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all perish as they did. ⁴Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the other people living in Jerusalem? ⁵No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all perish just as they did.”

⁶Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. ⁷So he said to the man working the vineyard, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ ⁸He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. ⁹If it bears fruit next year, well and good, but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

Inspiration

During Lent we are invited to reflect on the really important things in life. The allotted life span of each of us is always an unknown and mysterious fact to us. Only God sees the bigger picture of our lives. Our time on earth is indeed a time of grace to prepare for an eternity of happiness, but this time is made up of a series of nows, of moments, none of which will ever come again. ‘Carpe diem! – Seize the day!’ In the gospels we are frequently called to watch and pray! Let us do so now.

The sudden death of friends and the experience of life-threatening illnesses and accidents are all reminders to us that our sojourn on earth is temporary. Both Jesus and his Father are continually at work in our lives. Let us make good use of the opportunities that are being given to us.

Conversation

God came to bring life, both in Flesh and Word. What life-giving word have I received today? Or if nothing touched me, can I feel the life-giving presence of Jesus with me right now?

Conclusion

I thank God for His gift of love
as I go forth with joy and hope
to serve His people.

Amen