Lenten Meditation

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Book 1 Chapter 19: On the Exercise of a Good Religious

“The life of a good religious should be distinguished by virtue, being inwardly as one appears outwardly.”

Thomas a Kempis calls us into spiritual exercise today. To win the race, we must exercise and practice to be virtuous.  We must work on those virtues which purify us and make us holy.  He calls us to be “inwardly as one appears outwardly.” It is not how we look on the outside, but what is on the inside that is important. We are a vessel created by God to hold His wonderful gifts of grace.  Our vessel must be clean and pure as one of God’s angels.  If we do not work to cleanse our inside we cannot progress toward holiness.  It takes great diligence and effort if we want to advance toward God.  It is like the athlete trying to make it into the Olympics.  They will not make it unless they work hard and play right.  It takes daily practice, perseverance and stamina if one wants to make the team.  More importantly, it takes the grace of God.  We must understand that while we form great plans, there is only one plan that is supreme; that is the plan of God. We must also learn to practice the pillars of Lent; prayer, fasting and alms giving.  In our fasting, we should recognize that we are hungry for God and that we need God to survive.  In our alms giving, we are called to be charitable to others.  We need to recognize that we have a responsibility to help others.  It is easy for us to ignore the poor and the hungry and the marginalized or to assume that others will take care of them.  We are called into service to help those who are children of God. We are also called to be penitential.  We must recognize our weaknesses and those things that prevent us from turning fully to God.  We must ask for forgiveness in our daily prayer and through reconciliation. I like to do a daily examination of conscience.  In the evening, I reflect on the day to think about what I did right and what I did wrong.  I also think about the things I need to do differently tomorrow.  In the morning, I start with the simple prayer, “Thank You God for giving me another day to seek you.”  I also reflect on the things I need to avoid today.  I reflect on the hurdles I need to overcome and finish with a request for help from God and from my Guardian Angel. 

A Simple Prayer

“Help me Lord Jesus,

To preserve in my good resolutions and

In Your holy service till death.

Help me to begin this day well,

For up to now I have done nothing.”

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Lenten Meditation

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Book 1 Chapter 16: On Bearing with the Defects of Others

“Learn how to be patient in enduring the faults of others, remembering that you yourself have many which others have to put up with.”

I am reminded of the words from the old Mac Davis song, “Oh Lord, It’s hard to be humble, when you’re perfect in every way.”  What truth is conveyed in such a simple song lyric.  So often we see ourselves as perfect while we get caught up in the faults of others. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3) We must realize that we ourselves have many defects and many times these defects are much more serious than our brothers and sisters.  It is in our impatience that we want others to become perfect.  It is in our own pride, that we think that we already are perfect.  We must overcome both to see with the eyes of Christ. Christ is merciful and forgiving while it is difficult for us. We want others to be punished, while we find excuses for whatever wrongs we have done.  Some people will argue that this is our human nature that causes us to be this way.  I argue that this is our fallen nature.  In our human nature, we would act like God and be merciful and forgive.  Christ tells us, “Therefore, when offering your gift at the altar, if you should remember that you have treated your brother badly, leave your gift there at the altar and immediately go to be reconciled with your brother” (Matthew 5:23).  As we begin to realize our own faults, we should begin to understand the difficulty there is in correcting them.  If you find it difficult to convert your own faults, how can you expect others to change so easily?  This is why we must reconcile ourselves with our brothers and sisters.  It is in recognizing that we are weak, that we find our true strength. It is in our weakness that we will find the need for God in our lives, the true strength of all.  So why didn’t God create everyone perfect?  Thomas a Kempis says, “If everyone was perfect, what would we have to endure for the love of God?”  God wants us to learn to be tolerant and to be patient so he allows us to encounter conflict.  These are virtues that help us grow in humility.  It is in our humility that we shall see the face of God (Matthew 5:5). Adversity is the best test of our virtue.  These are the tests that strengthen our will and build our true human nature.

Father God, why must I face adversity?

Give me the fortitude to be patient and tolerant of the faults of others.

Give me the wisdom to see my own faults and the will to change them.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Lenten Meditation

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

Book 1 Chapter 15: On Works Done from the Motive of Charity

 

“Without charity the outward deed is worthless; but whatever is done out of charity, no matter how small and insignificant, is profitable in the eyes of God.”

 

Today, Thomas a Kempis talks about the fruits of charity and doing good works for others.  All good works have good about them.  However, the good work may not benefit our soul if it is done for the wrong reason.  St. James says that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17).  Faith and works was the great struggle of Martin Luther.  He struggled over how much good works must a man do to get into heaven.  He finally realized that there was no amount of good works that would justify one getting into heaven.  It was only by the grace of God that we make into heaven.  This is the message in today’s reading.  It is important for us to do good works, but the reason why we do the good works is equally important.  The good deeds that we do must be purely out of love for the other or they are worthless to us.  If we are only doing something so that others we see what we have done or to gain our own self-glory is vain on our part and therefore sinful.  Whatever we do should always be for the common good and never to please ourselves.  When we truly perform acts of charity for the benefit of others, they cannot be self-seeking.  Often times charity ends up being done for the wrong reason.  While the act is good, the motive may not be.  This is when the act is motivated by self-love and not love for the other.  Bragging about what you did does not glorify you. Instead it places you at odds to God.  True love has not vanity because it is sacrificial for the other with no concern for self.  When you do good works, do it purely for the benefit of the other. Do it privately with no expectation of reward.

 

Dear God:

 

Give me a truly charitable heart.

May my good works be done for the goodness of others

And not for the benefit of my own vanity.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Lenten Meditation

My Dearest Brothers and sisters in Christ:

Book 1 Chapter 14: On Avoiding Hasty Judgments

“Watch over yourself and take care not to judge the actions of others people.”

Why is it so wrong to judge others?  It’s simple. It’s because our judgment is primarily criticism and criticism kills the spirit of the other for our own benefit.  We gain nothing by criticizing others. However, to judge yourself and your own actions is always profitable because in that judgment we are trying to move toward God. When we judge others, we let our emotions guide us and therefore our judgment is not objective and rational.  When we judge others, we try to make them like us; we want them to conform to our will.  How often does judgment lead to opposition and dissention between the parties.  The two begin to have conflict which leads to hatred. And this hatred is destructive to the soul and therefore is sinful.  Unfortunately, we do not know completely what is on their heart nor where they are in their struggles with God. Therefore, our judgment is more likely than not misdirected and can be damaging to their journey.  It should be noted that judgment and advice are not the same.  A person seeking help is not the same as judging a person for the actions. Helping a person through a difficult time is not the same as condemning them for something you think is bad.  When we render aid, we help lift the soul to toward God, but when we judge, we crush the soul of the other for our own benefit.  Judgment is one of those sins like gossip that we find some sort of perverted happiness. It somehow makes us feel better about ourselves.  Therefore it is based in pride. It becomes consuming and can become very difficult to overcome.  This is one of those bad habitats we must break.  When we find ourselves judging another, stop and ask God to open our hearts to free us from this pride and to help us seek humility.

A Simple Prayer

Oh most grateful and merciful Father in Heaven

Help us to love our neighbors more than we love ourselves,

Respecting differences, and embracing our commonalities to find peace among us.

Help us to be your echoes of mercy and whispers of love.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Lenten Meditation

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

Book 1 Chapter 13: On Resisting Temptation

 

“We should always be on guard against temptations, always praying that our enemy, the devil, who never sleeps but constantly looks for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8), will not catch us off guard.”

 

What is temptation but that nagging voice that leads us to do wrong. It cannot not force us, but only lure us. Temptation begins as a simple thought in our mind, “followed by strong imaginings, then pleasure and evil emotions, and finally consent.” Christ tells us that sin begins in the heart not in the action.  If we think about doing it, we have already committed the sin.  Temptation is that voice in our head that causes conflict in our heart. It is allowed to enter our mind due to a lack of trust in God.  The devil convinces us with half-truths that what we are doing is good and will make us happy. To defeat temptation, we must submit ourselves to God, for it is the humble and submissive that He will save and exalt (Psalms 34:19).  However, we must remember that temptations are not all bad.  If you can resist them, they will strengthen you and bring you closer to Christ.  There is nowhere on earth that you can go that you will not encounter temptation.  Likewise, there is no one who is born free of temptations, not even Mary the Mother of God. Even Jesus was tempted. This is due to the weakness of our fallen nature.  There is only one person who can help free us and protect us from temptation and that is God.  It is through the trials and temptations that your “spiritual progress is tested”.  When we defeat temptations, then we grow spiritually.  Even the Saints had to endure temptations.  The most holy of people were tempted.  While some people are even protected from grave temptations, they still experience some small temptations to help keep them humble and submissive to God.  Saint Teresa of Avila stated that her sin was that brief moment, that few seconds during the day that she would stop thinking of God.  This was her temptation and her sin.  It was this that she had to defend her soul.  Oh how I wish this was my only temptation.  Temptation is not the same for everyone.  Some of us experience great temptations while it appears that some might only experience little temptations.  Some are tempted during their early journey to Christ while others later in their conversion. Some even have temptation everyday of their lives. “We should not be discouraged when tempted, but turn in fervent prayer to God, Who, in His infinite goodness and compassion, will help us in all our needs.” Why else would we be allowed to be tempted?  When we defeat temptation, we should turn and thank God for giving us the grace.  It is recognizing that He is the strength that we will grow closer to God.  It is in giving Him thanks that we humble ourselves to His mercy and His love.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

God:

Temptation is everywhere in the world.

It is only by your grace that I can conquer temptation.

Strengthen me with the armor of Saint Michael to defeat temptation before it begins.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon  

 

Lenten Meditation

Book 1 Chapter 12: On the Advantage of Not Having Everything Our Own Way

“It is good that everything is not always to our liking; for adversity makes people look into their hearts.”

Why can’t I always have it my way? The world today wants everything to happen when they want it; how they want it; and like they want it.  This has led to a society of radical individualist.  Unfortunately, living and wanting this lifestyle denies the providence of God.  We get angry and upset when things do not happen the way we want them.  This is because we “put our hope in any worldly things.” We are called to rely so entirely on God that we have no need to look to humans for consolation when adversity comes.  Who knows us best but God our Father.  He has a plan for us that He created before we were even conceived.  If He knows us best, then shouldn’t God be in charge of what we do?  Shouldn’t we freely allow ourselves to be directed by His will?  This is what is referred to as total abandonment to God. You need to realize that it is good for us to experience opposition in our life; “for these things allow us to become humble and rid us of pride”. We are called to let go and let God.  If you learn to rely solely on God, then when evil comes you will trust in the only person that can defeat the devil. You need to realize that the devil is mightier than us and the only way he can be defeated is through the might of God.  You must understand that there is not perfect peace and understanding in this world because we live in a fallen world. Man sins and bad things happen. Even so, you must seek joy in knowing that whatever suffering you encounter because life doesn’t happen like you want it helps enjoin us with Christ on the Cross.  It is in this suffering and total surrender that you free yourself to begin to experience the great joy you will encounter when you enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

A Simple Prayer

Father God,

            Give me the strength to face adversity and

            The patience to accept your will always

            For it is in trusting you that I will find the kingdom of heaven.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Lenten Meditation

Book 1 Chapter 11: On How to Acquire Peace and on the Desire to Improve

“We would indeed have peace if we would attend to our [own] affairs.”

For the past ten meditations Thomas a Kempis has focused on “giving up” or fasting from things that prevent us from realizing the kingdom of heaven.  He calls us each day to pray inwardly and to seek God in everything we do.  In other words, you are called to be inwardly focused.  This is the primary purpose of Lent.  Lent helps us find that inner peace we so desire and helps direct us back to Christ. Today’s message tells us what we need to do to “acquire peace”.  He begins this section by asking the question, “How can you remain in peace when you deliberately interfere in other people’s business and seek worldly occupation with seldom a thought to interior recollection?” When you interject yourself into other people’s business you commit two sins; first the sin of condemnation and second the sin of pride.  This is because you tell belittling the other so that you can look better than them.  You must die to this self-love (aka Pride) so that you can “enjoy the spiritual things” and “experience heavenly contemplation.”  You should always see yourself as less than the other person and then you will find great comfort when they ask you to help them.  Your service will be one of servitude and not one of self-satisfaction.  Our service should lead them to trust in God and find peace in His arms.  When trouble comes into your life, who is it that you seek comfort from?  More times than not the answer to this question is human consolation. Thomas tells us that we must “take a firm stand” and put our trust in God “for He is always ready to help those who put their trust in Him.”  God even gives us “occasions for us to do battle so that we will overcome and be victorious.” Her gives us the choice to choose Him and to surrender ourselves to His mercy. This Lent you should identify a fault or bad habit that you have and pray to overcome that fault.  By doing so, you acknowledge that God is God and you are not and you will increase your fervor and desire for virtue.  By growing in virtue, you become more and more like the Saints and will eventually find that peace when you rest in the arms of God Himself. You should start with the little things.  As you overcome your faults and bad habits, you will find that you have the will power to overcome the greater things. Start by breaking off bad habits.  It is these habits that weigh you down and make it difficult to tackle the bigger issues in your life. You should keep your eyes focused on “the greater interior peace you would have and how happy you would make others by doing good.”  It is the desire to do good that leads you to good.  It is in doing good that you grow in virtue.  To grow in virtue is to become a Saint. To become a Saint is to be at peace in the arms of God.

A Simple Prayer

God,

I abandon myself to you!

Help me overcome my faults and my bad habits

So I can grow in virtue.  

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Lenten Meditation

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Book 1 Chapter 10: On Avoiding Superfluous Words

“If we are not careful, we can be easily deceived and attracted by the vanity of the world.”

Oh how true a statement.  How easy it is to be consumed by the world.  Thomas a Kempis cautions us today on wordiness and being too verbose in our communication with others; especially in gossip.  The phase “Keep It Simple Stupid” or KISS comes to mind.  He tells us that the more we say, the stupider we begin to appear.  Okay, I paraphrased a little.  If you remain focused on worldly issues and spend all your energy discussing the things that burden us; “the end result of this gossip about things we like or dislike only leaves us with a guilty conscience.”  This is the same message we heard from Pope Francis gave us regarding the topics of same sex marriage and abortion. If we spend our time completely consumed by these topics, we can actually lose sight of God and become filled with contempt.  God is much bigger than these issues.  Not that we don’t need to pray for these issues, but to make sure that these issues do not completely consume us. All the complaining and griping is for nothing Thomas tells us since it tends to hinder our path to God.  If we become consumed by the worldly issues, what time do we leave for meditating on God.  We must seek God because God is the source of all happiness and joy.  I find myself consumed at times with our current political system, same sex marriage, war, terrorism and atheism to the point where my speech can become hateful. I let these things consume me instead of seeking God and the joy that one experiences when they find Him.  When I find God, a light shines in me which becomes the beacon for others.  It is through me that they can find God.  It is not in my words as much as it is in my actions and what I do.  When I center myself on God, my speech becomes compassionate and loving.  It becomes the grace of God flowing through me.  “A bad use or neglect of our spiritual progress makes us careless of what we say.” In our carelessness, we can offend and turn people away from Christ. Our own negativity becomes the wall that separates God from his people.  “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6).  We need to stay focused on God and continue to focus on spiritual growth. Remember, keep it simple.  

Father in heaven

            Give me wisdom in my words,

            That they may be simple and true and

            Express only the love of God the Father.

            May this lead me to a spiritual oneness with you.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Lenten Meditation

Book 1 Chapter 9: On Being Obedient and Submissive

“They will never have liberty of spirit until they submit wholly to the authority for the love of God”

Obedience, I think this is probably the most difficult of requirement for us to accept.  We must be obedient to the will of God.  This has been the cause of many a fall including the original sin of man.  Adam and Eve could not obey the simple commandment of God not to eat the fruit.  It is difficult because of self- pride. We believe that we know best and because of our fallen nature, we are more likely to do our own will. We also tend to gravitate to those people who agree with us and who hold our views. In other words, we come to the conclusion that we know best.  But if we truly want the presence of God among us, then we must be willing to give up our own way and our own desires for that which God has commanded.  We must be willing to acknowledge that God is the wisest and knows best; not us.  While you may struggle with some of the teachings of the Church, it is out of obedience that you submit to them.  While some teachings are difficult, if you spend the time to understand why the Church (aka God) commands certain things, you will likely fall deeper in love with the church.  During my reconversion to Catholicism, it was in the understanding of the teachings that I began to fall deeper in love with God. I began to realize that my disbeliefs in His teachings was out of pride or even justification for my own sinfulness.  The more a sin consumed me, the more likely I was to try to justify it.  But once I submitted to God, I found a new peace that gave me a deeper comfort than what I have ever felt before.  The rules are there to guide to God and free us from the bonds of hell.  Yes, you must be submissive in all you do.

A Simple Prayer

Jesus,

You endured total submission to your Father,

Teach me the meaning of meekness,

My will complying to the Heavenly Father.

Remove my weaknesses of disobedience,

Shaping me to the will of God Almighty.

Guide me on the road of resignation,

Molding my soul into total submission.

Yours in Christ

Michael F. Marcon

Lenten Meditation

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ

Book 1 Chapter 8: On Avoiding Too Much Familiarity 

“Associate yourself with those who are humble and have simplicity, who are devout and self-disciplined.”

We are instructed today to be cautious about who you call friends and close acquaintances. Your friends will truly shape your formation.  Thomas a Kempis says you should not select friends because of their social status, because they are popular, because they are rich, or because they are considered great.  Rather he says, you should associate yourself with people “who are humble and have simplicity.”  These are people who tend to be “devout and self-disciplined”.  More importantly he suggests that our conversation should be “about those things that will deify and strengthen the soul.” How often do you seek the fame and fortune associated with those that are rich and famous, the movies stars, or so called great athletes only to be greatly disappointed by their conduct or the way that they treat you. This is Thomas says you should seek the simple life and to be on “intimate terms with God and his angels”. While we are told to be selective in our association with others, you are called to be charitable to all.  When that great movie star or athlete falls, you should not be happy for them, but pray for their conversion to God.  It is only in the imitation of Christ that you will find the Kingdom of Heaven. Christ truly is the kingdom we should all seek and it is His glory that we desire.

A Simple Prayer

Lord God, creator of all;
  Allow me to be humble on this great day;
  That I will seek you and not fame and fortune;
  That I desire your love and not the rich and the proud.

Yours in Christ
Michael Marcon

Lenten Meditation

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Book 1 Chapter 7: On False Confidence and Arrogance

“Do what you can to please [God] and He will reward you well for your good will.”

Today’s message is somewhat confusing.  Thomas a Kempis first tells us to “put all your confidence in God, but do not trust yourself.”  I have always heard it said, “Trust your instincts” or “Go with your gut feeling.”  But here we are told to ignore that feeling.  Or are we?  Who is it that nags at us when we have to make difficult decisions but our own conscience trying to guide us between right and wrong.  You are not to “trust your own cleverness nor that of any person.”  You are only to put your “trust in the grace of God.”  God’s wisdom and knowledge comes to us from so many sources including scripture, the Church Fathers and theologians.  The Church Magisterium, led by the Holy Spirit, is there to help guide us and provide insight into the meaning of the Words of God. It is from these sources that your conscience is formed and you are set on the path to righteousness. You are called again to humble yourself and to accept the teachings.  In humbling yourselves, you must not boast or brag because your earthly riches will eventually fade away.  The only riches that are eternal are the graces provided to you through our Father in Heaven.  You are also never to place yourself above anyone for the last will become first.  Thomas also tells us not to be proud of our good works. After reading this section, it sounds like Thomas just wants us to be this meek, humble and timid individual.  And the answer is yes, for the meek shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5).  “A humble person is a peaceful person; but the hearts of the proud are full of envy and resentment.”  You must always place yourself last for you truly do not know the heart of the other.  If you always believe that your neighbor is better than you, you will serve him and God with righteous humility. Only God can judge the soul.

A Simple Prayer

Father in Heaven:

Give me the grace to be last and to develop a humble heart.
Allow me the strength to be meek so I can inherit the earth.

Yours in Christ
Michael Marcon

Lenten Meditation

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ

Book 1 Chapter 6: Concerning Inordinate Affections

“When people desire anything to an excessive degree, they immediately lose their peace of soul.”

What a profound statement! When we desire something excessively, it becomes the god in our life. It overtakes our ability to see God and crushes that what is god in our soul. I can remember saying things like “I will just die if I don’t get whatever!”  The truth is I was already dead because I let that thing I wanted drive my desires instead of God. Is it okay to want something? Yes.  But it is not ok to become excessive in our desires. This is why fasting is a major component of our Lenten Journey. We are supposed to fast from those things that divert our eyes from Christ and ultimately the Kingdom of Heaven. Thomas a Kempis says, “The humble and the poor in spirit live in peace and contentment.” We must become mortified to the things that are of the world.  It becomes so easy for us to fall into temptation and listen to Satan when we obsess the things of the world. It becomes more and more difficult for us to find rest and happiness when our worldly desires consume us.  I think this is most evident around Christmas when our focus becomes “what I want for Christmas” instead of what God wants for me.  It is difficult for us to shed our desires when our spiritual life is weak. When our spiritual life is weak, it is easier for us to be tempted with worldly desires.  If you think about it, when you get what you want, you will typically receive a short lived instant gratification.  This new thing will lose its attraction and then you will desire something else. In reality, when we find God and make Him the focus of our desire, the gratification is long-lived and accompanies with great joy and happiness.  We can only find lasting peace by resisting our passions and finding rest in the Lord.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, help me to be humble in my desires and my wants.
Let my eyes be focused on you who created me.

Peace
Michael Marcon

Lenten Meditation

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“An unlearned peasant, whose contentment is the service of God, is far better than the learned and the clever, whose pride in their knowledge leads them to neglect their souls while fixing their attention on the stars.”

Book 1 Chapter  2: On Having a Humble Opinion of Oneself (Day 2)

Yesterday we celebrated Ash Wednesday; a day to remind us of our frailty and our mortality.  It is in the celebration of ashes that we must humble ourselves and realize that we are not God. It is in the symbol of the ashes that you realize that you will become the same ashes from which you began.  Today’s reading in the Imitation of Christ begins with the statement that “Knowledge is a natural desire in all people.”  This seems like an odd statement to begin a section on humility.  I guess the question to ponder is, “How does knowledge relate to humility?”  If knowledge is natural, then it must be a gift from God. Therefore, knowledge must be good.  The reading goes on to say that “knowledge for its own sake is useless.”  What good is it to know all the stars, but not realize that something much greater exists beyond the stars?  No matter how much you know, if you do not know the love of God you will never find the true love of heaven.  True self-knowledge should make you aware of your own worthlessness.  When you realize that that you are worthless, you will truly understand humility.  To have a high opinion of yourself, aka Pride, is to place yourself above others and even to place yourself above God.  This is the sin of pride. Self-pride is self-destructive because to be proud of yourself is to deny the one who gave you the gifts in the first place.  Thomas a Kempis states, “The more you know, the more severely you will be judged.  So do not be proud of any skill or knowledge you may have, for such is an awesome responsibility.” In other words, the more you know, the more that is expected of you.  Nothing is more beneficial to the soul then to have a true self-knowledge “which produces a wholesome self-contempt.”  You should always see others in a positive light to help raise their self-esteem and to promote their own self-worth in the eyes of God.  If you see another person commit a sin, refrain from commenting or passing judgment on them for you too are a sinner. You must remember “that all are frail, but none so frail as yourself.” When you deny your own self-worth for that of another, you elevate them while humbling yourself.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, help me to be humble;

Free me from the desires of self-praise and allow me to decrease while others increase.

Free me from the desire to be first while giving me the grace to be last.

Give me the grace of humility.

Peace

Michael Marcon

Lenten Meditation

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Book 1 Chapter 1: On Following Christ Our Model (Day 1) – Ash Wednesday

Today is the first day of Lent – Ash Wednesday.  It is day for us to reflect on what it means to be humble.  It is also a day to reflect on the majesty of God our Father.  We must realize that He is God and we are not.  We must realize that He is the Light and the Way.  “No one who follows Me will ever walk in darkness” (John 8:12).  In these words, Christ calls us to walk in His light; to be united in His mission; and to free ourselves from blindness.  He is calling us to imitate Christ.  It is by imitating Christ that we learn to live in the light while at the same time becoming a light for others.  You must meditate daily on the Life of Christ.  Over the next 40 days of Lent, a daily meditation will be sent out to help bring your closer to the light and to free you from the darkness.

Thomas A Kempis says it’s not enough to just listen, but we must hear the Word.  It must infiltrate your very being.  “To be learned and able to discuss the Trinity will get you nowhere if you do not have humility”.  We must humble ourselves so we can truly open our heart to hear his words.  To memorize the Bible will not get you into heaven.  “The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor is the ear filled with hearing (Eccl 1:8).  The words of Bible must come alive in our hearts.  It is one thing to say that the Grand Canyon is a big hole in the ground.  It is another to take in the beauty, the grandeur and the awe of the beauty which is present in God’s creation.  Kempis states that nothing matters except to love God and to serve Him only. During this Lenten Season, you Lenten promise should be exactly that; to love God with all my heart and all my soul and to serve Him to the point where it becomes a sacrifice.    

"Without the Way, there is no going,

Without the Truth, there is no knowing,

Without the Life, there is no living." (Thomas A Kempis)

 

A simple prayer.

 

God,

Give me the grace to see the light,

Give me the grace to humble myself and recognize that you are God,

Give me the grace to imitate Christ, and

Give me the grace to become a light for others.

 

Peace

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“But many that are first will be last, and the last first.”

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 10:28-31

 

Peter began to say to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

 

Today is Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday.  It is the day before we begin the Lenten Journey.  Many would say that today is the great feast before we begin the great fast.  Many of us struggle with what to give up during this period.  We are called to fast, to pray and to give alms in preparation for our Easter.  During this Lenten Season, I have decided to do something new.  Jesus says that “Anyone who wishes to follow Me must deny self, take up the cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).  But what does this really mean.  According to Genesis, man was created in “the image and likeness” of God.  We were create to imitate Christ is our actions, in our prayers and in our fasting.  Therefore, this Lenten Season, I have decided to meditate on writings included in “The Imitation of Christ” by Thomas A Kempis.  Instead of sending out a daily meditation on the Gospel reading for the daily, I am going to reflect one of the Chapters from the his book.  During Lent, my goal is to complete one chapter a day which will allow us to complete Book 1 (Useful Admonitions For Spiritual Life) and Book 2 (Considerations for Leading an Interior Life).  During the Easter Season, I hope to cover Book 3 (On Interior Conversation).  This book is a small book which is packed with great insights to becoming more like Christ and converting our soul to reflect the true image and likeness of Christ.     

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Come Holy Spirit, fill my heart with the peace and joy of the Gospel.

May I be filled with the knowledge of God’s personal love.

Breakaway the bonds of my worldly possessions so I can become a true image of Christ to this World.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon