Lenten Moments of Mercy: Thursday of the Second Week of Lent

Thursday of the Second Week of Lent   The disciplines of Lent help us place trust in God the Father’s loving hands.

Scripture Happy are those who make             the LORD their trust, who do not turn to the proud,             to those who go astray after false gods. Psalm 40:4   Reflection A good friend told me the story of how his life was changed. He is a good man, active in his parish, and involved in Catholic ministry. He was on a retreat that was an especially moving experience. During the first days of the retreat, he reflected on all that he was doing, all that he was failing to do, and the many insurmountable issues he was facing. He knew no matter how hard he tried, he could not accomplish all that he thought needed to be done. In a moment of private prayer, he cried to God how helpless he felt, that he was in despair. He heard God tell him, “Give me your despair.” At that moment he moved from trust in himself and his own abilities to trust in God. In a homily given on today's readings, Pope Francis says the central focus of the readings is the issue of trust: do we trust in ourselves, or do we trust in God? Someone who only trusts in himself will ultimately live a life without horizons, without open doors, without windows. Even if we have moved beyond simply selfish desires and sincerely give our lives to others in service, there is still the temptation to put our own agendas forward instead of God’s. To move beyond trust in our own abilities and our own agendas, we must surrender ourselves into the Father’s loving hands and be open to what he wishes to accomplish in us.

Pope Francis “May the Lord grant us all the wisdom to trust only in him and not in things or in human strength: only in him.” Morning Meditation, 20 March 2014   Lenten Action ► Take time for a 3-Minute Retreat.   Prayer Help us, O Lord, to live only by the life-giving waters of your love.

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