Lenten Reflection Day 10

“Lord, it is good that we are here.” These are the words Peter speaks to Jesus in our Gospel selection today MT 17:1-9. I wonder, do we feel like we can say the same as Peter? Are we glad to be on this Lenten journey, here and now? Today is a day for examining this question. What are we looking to “get” out of Lent this year? The church sets this season apart as a time for prayer, fasting, and alms giving. It is not to punish us or make us miserable, rather, it is to draw us closer to our Lord in the same manner in which Jesus drew close to God the Father, by means of sacrifice. We read of Jesus’s transfiguration today and realize that this practice of fasting, prayer, and alms giving is an opportunity for us to transform our lives so to then transform our hearts and souls to become that which God desires. Yes, it is good that we are here. It is good that we get the chance to live through another season of Lent, where we get yet another opportunity to make that space for God in our lives by letting go of sin and anything that may weigh us down spiritually. It is good that we have received yet another invitation to receive the forgiveness of our sins in the sacrament of Reconciliation. To cleanse our spirits and transform us by the grace of God. It is good that we are here making the resolution to turn away from anything that stands in the way of us building a relationship with God. It is good that we are here, preparing to celebrate Christ in his resurrected glory, with open hearts ready to receive Him.
CHALLENGE: Take a moment today to thank God for a time when He transformed something in your life (a job promotion, a good medical report, a family member or friend that has returned to God, a deeper love of your faith and more meaningful relationship with God, etc.) Ask him to continue transforming your heart and to conform it to His will in the hopes of one day hearing from God our Father, “Here is my son/daughter in whom I am well pleased.
Blessings to You and Yours!