Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Be Not Afraid




We must be prepared to undergo great trials in the not-too-distant future; trials that will require us to give up even our lives, and a total gift of self to Christ and for Christ. Through your prayers and mine, it is possible to alleviate this tribulation, but it is no longer possible to avert it, because it is only in this way that the Church can be effectively renewed. How many times, indeed, has the renewal of the Church been effected in blood? This time, again, it will not be otherwise. - Pope John Paul II (1994)



For those of you who were hoping I'd give up sarcasm again for Lent, my journey this year is penance, penance, penance (and of course, prayer and fasting!).

Penance isn't as easy as you think it would be. You have to be on your guard looking for the opportunities in the little things, always conscious of the ego. It lives in the personal misunderstandings, hurts and injustices. Warriors and evangelists have to find the right balance between letting go of what is personal while continuing to work for truth and righteousness that affect salvation and life itself.

Whatever your journey - to all who read here, your counted in my prayers and offerings in this Lenten season.



3 comments:

Kelly said...

Thank you! I need all the prayer I can get. I like to think I am witty, but really I know it is just sarcasm-lite. But I'm getting there. Very. slowly.

Anonymous said...

"Whatever your journey - to all who read here, your counted in my prayers and offerings in this Lenten season."

Thank you, Carol, I need all the prayers I can get. Please ask Our Lord and His Blessed Mother to deliver me from the trial that has been going on for two years.

Veronica

Caroline said...

And your in mine as well, Carol.
(and Kelly and Veronica too!)
+PAX