When Jesus asks his disciples “Who do you say that I am?” Peter gets it right. Jesus is the Christ, the Lord, the one who saves us from our sins and empowers us as Sons and Daughters of God. Our acceptance of this reality transforms our lives with his light and power!
It’s human nature to be looking for a sign from God – guiding our actions and helping us to see the right path. Jesus teaches in the gospel of Luke that we don’t need any more signs…we have the Lord! The task now? To put our faith into practice.
It’s a powerful prayer, and this gift from the Lord strengthens and directs our lives. Only 55 words in English; may we pray it with conviction and conversion of heart.
It’s a simple phrase, and yet it has the power to change our lives and renew our hearts. What began on Ash Wednesday continues now with full power: we repent of our sins and turn to the Lord with open hearts that God’s grace might renew us and make us whole.
When asked why he eats with sinners and tax collectors, Jesus offers a powerful response, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners.” As we acknowledge our sins and seek repentance we, too, receive the Lord’s saving mercy.
The spiritual discipline of fasting offers a powerful tool to help us recognize the needs of others. Both Isaiah and Jesus offer key insights into this practice, guiding us to see how fasting in our bodies can bring renewal to our souls.
Jesus speaks in direct and blunt language: to be a disciple means that we follow His example as we take up our Cross and follow Him. What’s more, the Cross is far more than simple suffering; when we take up our Cross we commit our lives to the service, care and compassion of others…just as Christ offered His life for our salvation.
The ashes on our foreheads invite us to repent of the sins that keep us from God and one another. Through fasting, prayer and almsgiving we have powerful tools that can open our hearts and transform our lives in this great season of Lent.
The Lord warns the disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod, and he reminds them of the multiplication of the loaves to feed thousands. It’s a good insight that both good and bad things start small, and like leaven in dough, they can make big differences.
Suffering affects our lives on many levels – body, mind, heart and soul – and it can weaken and wound our relationships with one another. When we respond with compassion, help, unity and God’s grace we can restore what was broken with the healing power of Christ.