2nd Sunday of Lent

Our readings for the 2nd Sunday of Lent are:

1. Genesis 15: 5-12, 17-18
2. Psalms 27: 1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14
3. Philippians 3: 17-4:1
4. Luke 9: 28b-36

• We are a covenant people
• In ancient Semitic cultures, two men would enact a solemn covenant or pact between them by walking between the halves of butchered animals.  The vision that Abram had of God walking through that sacrifice was a very solemn pact indeed.
• What promises has God made to us, His people?
• Do those promises of God come to your mind very often?
• Why is that?

• Waiting, waiting for what exactly?
• Are you counting on God to do something in your life, or do something for you?
• How long have you been waiting?
• Is what you're waiting for an event, or a process?
• How much longer do you think that you can wait on God for that?

• Quo vadis?
• What gets you out of bed in the morning?
• Why is that important to you?
• If you said something like "I get out of bed in the morning so that I can take my place in the ongoing unfolding of creation." congratulations, you're thinking in an Ignatian mindset.  So why is it important to you to participate in creation?
• If you knew that you were going to die tomorrow, would you still get out of bed for that reason, or would you get out of bed for some other reason?
• Why?

• Exodus
• One of the biggest problems that the Children of Israel had leaving Egypt was leaving behind all of the things that they had grown comfortable with.  Ignatius would term those things "disordered attachments" because they hampered the Israelite's freedom.
• What are some things that you are really attached to?
• How much would it take to get you to let go of any of those?
• Are you really free?

• Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. What would God have to do before I trusted Him more?
2. Where/with whom is my trust?
3. How does my heavenly citizenship change the way that I act and relate to others?
4. What are some things that I need to let go, so that I can follow Jesus more closely?

Shackled to Success

"It just wasn't meant to be" is often offered as a consolation prize.
You poured your heart into it, gave your all, and still, failure.
Nothing to show for your work but the bitter ashes of disappointment,
And worse, the pity of those who love you and care about you.

But what if success is not the only objective in town?
What if, even just once in a while, the real prize is not in the taking,
But in the trying, the striving, the struggle.  That the goal
The goal is not to succeed, but to give generously, even recklessly.

How freeing would that be.  Then, then the only real failure in life
Would be in giving up before the journey was fair begun,
In turning back once more to the fleshpots of Egypt out of fear
That the desert is unexplored, too vast, too dangerous,

Turning back to slavery to what can always be done, the sure thing
Just because it's familiar, safe, secure, warm and cozy.
The person who never ventures forth with daring, and a little fear,
Has traded life for comfort, freedom for safety, and passion for a warm place by the fire.

Lord save me from such domestication!

Shalom!