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