Lent

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Lent

Solitude   Fasting

Resist   Evil   Temptations

Cling To His Word

Deliverance

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Psalm 91:14

Because he clings to me, I will deliver him.

Reflection

What happens during the season of Lent? What words describe it for you?

We think of solitude. It is a time to look within and to see how our relationship with God and our sisters and brothers is going. 

The solitude helps us to withdraw from the distractions of the world around us. Can I actually put down my cellphone? Can I refrain from checking all those "really important" emails? Can I turn off the tv and the radio? 

Am I afraid to be by myself for a while?

Am I afraid to spend some time with God?

Do I worry about what God will say to me?

Lent is a time for fasting.

Fasting can be very hard for us. Things that we do not even think about can start to come to mind when I am fasting from them. That ice cream or candy that I have decided to give up for Lent seems to come up more now that I can't have it!

Fasting can help me to resist those things that I should enjoy in moderation. When I am cutting back from some things, I can use the money I am saving to help others who are in need. As I fast, I can picture a family in need sitting down and enjoying a good meal together. We are all one!

My fasting can lead me to overcome the evil in our society. When people are putting another person down and saying negative things about her or him, I can fast from the evil of disparaging another person. That fasting can send a message that can lessen the divisions and hatreds in our society. That fasting can lead to peace!

There are temptations that we face as we fast. We can think that our fasting will not make a difference. We can say, "There is so much evil in the world that one person trying to overcome it will never make a difference. The problems are just too large and intractable." 

Yet we have seen over and over again in history how one person standing for truth against evil has made such a big difference. I think of all those who have been inspired by the brave witness of St. Oscar Romero to work for change and to bring peace and justice to those on the margins of society.

We overcome that temptation and the many others we are sure to encounter as we fast for justice by clinging to the Word of God. We turn to the Word for strength and encouragement. We learn as we ponder the Word that Jesus faced opposition and discouragement and suffering and persevered through it all because He was clinging to the Father and the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus led us to deliverance by clinging to the Father and the Holy Spirit. He triumphed over evil by showing us that Love is the strongest power in our world. 

Setbacks will come and the temptation to get discouraged will always present itself. As we cling to the Word this Lent, Jesus promises us that He will show us the way. Our clinging always leads us to His Clinging.

That embrace is always with us and gives us strength. Lent is our invitation to rest in that embrace.

Always!

1. How does solitude help to deepen your encounter with Jesus?

2. Is it difficult for you to enter into solitude?

3. What is your experience of fasting?

4. How do you try to overcome the temptation of discouragement in the face of so much evil?

5. Do you try to cling to God's Word?

6. From what do you think our world has to be delivered?

7. What does Kathy's picture call you to do?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)

  

Ambassadors

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Ambassadors

For Christ

Reconcile    Work   Together

The Day Of Salvation

Now

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Second Corinthians 6:2

Behold now is the acceptable time!

Behold now is the day of salvation!

Reflection

Have you ever wanted to be appointed as an ambassador to another country? It seems so intriguing---especially if it is a country that you would really like to visit and get to know.

No worries. You already are an ambassador. You are an ambassador for Christ.

When you think about it, it is really the most important ambassador you can be. Jesus has entrusted you with a very important mission: to bring His Good News to each person you meet.

As we begin our Lenten journey on Ash Wednesday, it is good to reflect on this call that Jesus gives to each of us. We live in a world that is in urgent need of reconciliation.

We see conflicts and divisions all around us and within us. There are political divisions; military conflicts; splits within families; and confusions within our very self.

Jesus calls all of us to put aside those divisions and hatreds and to work together for the good of all. There are people who need to be fed, who need shelter, who are sick and need healing. We are called to see Jesus in each and every one of them no matter if we agree or disagree with them.

We are called in our reading from Second Corinthians to do it NOW!

We all like to put it off but Jesus will have none of that. As good ambassadors we have to share the Good News each day, each moment. It is time to put aside those differences and to let those we meet know that we love them and care for them.

Ambassadors bring a message of concern from their country to the countries where they are sent. As ambassadors for Christ, we bring His Love to all.

Enjoy your ambassadorship!

1. If you were asked to be an ambassador, to which country would you like to be assigned? 

2. What does it mean for you to be an ambassador for Christ?

3. What can you do personally to overcome the conflicts and divisions that you see around you?

4. Why do you think that Jesus says that NOW is the day of salvation?

5. What do you see as you reflect on Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara) 

Blind

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Blind

Self-Exam

Our Own Sins

Remove the Wooden Beam

Vision

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Luke 6:42

Jesus said,

"Remove the wooden beam from your own eye first; then you will be able to see more clearly to remove the splinter in your sister's and brother's eye."

Reflection

Sometimes we take things for granted.

Those of us who are fortunate enough to have sight don't realize what a blessing it is. We have to become more sensitive to those who are blind.

One way to reflect on that is to think of the ways that we are blind. Do we ever walk by those in need and just ignore them?

Do we sometimes overlook difficulties friends are facing as we are talking with them because we are too busy concentrating on a problem we are facing?

Are we blind sometimes to the struggles of our sisters and brothers who are fighting for justice because they might be of a different race or cultural background?

It is good to take a self-exam and look at how we are doing on the blindness scale. Are there things we could be doing better? Who are the people we need to reach out to?

Our own sins can blind us to those areas in our life where we need to make changes. We can be too self-centered and selfish. We sometimes concentrate on our own needs and don't realize the needs of others, especially those who are on the margins of our society. It is easy to overlook and ignore when our sight is limited.

Our vision can be blocked by the wooden beam of our insensitivity. When that happens, all we concentrate on is ourselves. 

I have had many conversations with people who complain that they don't have a nicer car or a bigger home. When we reflect together on those who live without food or shelter and who have no access to medical care, their eyes are open to how fortunate they are and to our responsibility to reach out to our sisters and brothers in need.

Jesus gives us the right vision in our passage from Luke. He is telling us to look at our own behaviors first and to work on that wooden beam that blocks our eyesight. After we remove that huge beam, we can see clearly.

When we have that accurate vision, we will see what our neighbors really need and can help them to achieve it. Our vision then will more closely be aligned with what Jesus wants.

It has been my experience that our sisters and brothers who are physically blind are many times more sensitive to reaching out to others who are in need. Let us follow their vision and the vision of Jesus to bring God's compassionate Love to all.

Those wooden beams have to go!

1. What are some things that you have taken for granted in your life?

2. What have you found to be the most persistent blind spots in your life?

3. When is the last time that you did a self-exam about your own blind spots?

4. What are some of those wooden beams that you have to remove so that you will see more clearly?

5. What do you see as you reflect on Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)