40 days of Lent!
How close are you climb towards Sainthood in the next 40 days?
Words of encouragement from last Sunday's homily by my Carmelite buddy, Father Dan:
(Not only to say "Lord, Lord" but to do the will of the Father.
9th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A: March 6, 2011
Deut 11:18, 26-28; 32; Ps 31; Rom 3:21-25, 28; Matt 7:21-27)
"Our Lord’s words are meant to shake us: they are meant to shake us free. They are meant to lead us to joy; they are meant to fill us with peace. Our Lord knows how much we believe already; and he says, “Let me help your unbelief.” [cf. Mark 9:24] Our Lord knows how far we’ve come by faith; and he says, “Onward and upward!” Sainthood awaits. Beatitude, total blessedness, awaits. Divine union awaits.
And not only in the next life; but even blessings in this one. For, as we heard, whether we act upon his words or not, this life will bring us rain and floods and winds. The difference is that, if we not only listen to his words but also act upon them, our house will not collapse but it will stand—if we have built our house upon his rock rather than upon our own sand.
Brothers and sisters, isn’t it time to lay aside every burden, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and once again to run with endurance the race that lies before us? [Heb 12:1] Our Lord in his mercy gives us the season of Lent that begins this Wednesday: not just one day for New Year’s Resolutions but 40 days of grace to throw off those burdens and sins. 40 days to be free to give of ourselves, and receive what we need most, in prayer and acts of giving.
40 days to not only say “Lord, Lord” but to do the will of the Father. Onward and upward! Sainthood awaits. Beatitude, total blessedness, divine union awaits. Take courage and be stouthearted, all you who hope in the Lord."
Read the whole homily here.
