Rununciation for the Bridegroom

Well the time of Fasting, Prayer, and giving is here again. I was reading in the Lenten Magnificat for this year, and yesterday's read was more than touching to my heart, so I thought I would share...enjoy!

This reflection is based on Matthew 9:14-15
"Then came to him the disciples of John, saying: Why do we and the Pharisees, fast often, but your disciples do not fast? And Jesus said to them: Can the children of the bridegroom mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then they shall fast."

"The days will come when the Bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they shall will fast." Has that day come for us? Not that our Lord has vanished from our lives; certainly not, and yet perhaps we pray less now than in the past, or are more indulgent in worldliness, less concerned for pleasing God. The beginning of Lent is a time to recover an essential focus on Jesus Christ. Practices of self-denial can be helpful in this effort, but if we ask why, it is not primarily as penitential acts in reparation for past sins. Rather, mortification should be viewed as a means of self-emptying, turning attention away from ourselves so that our soul may open to God. A sacrifice of any kind loses its greater purpose without a motive to draw closer to Christ. We should discover that in fasting and renunciations we want more prayer in our lives. The pattern is a sign of grace. Our Lord finds greater desire for himself when a soul is less preoccupied with its own needs, and so he invites that soul to deeper intimacy. Let us remember also that in offering up sacrifices we help filter graces of conversion through the Church to souls in spiritual danger. This in itself is a profound reason to keep firm our resolve to make this year a fervent lent. ~Father Donald Haggerty

Loving Father, help me to be generous in renouncing myself during these holy days of Lent, and let my sacrifices be for the good of souls in need of grace. To God the Father, through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Magnificat USA LLC, NY, 2010
www.magnificat.com

Hope you enjoyed...this really hit home with me, it's so easy for me to get caught up doing the day so to speak and not focusing on Jesus in my everyday activities. To do all things through Christ...