Monday of the First Week of Lent

March 6, 2017

The other night friends and I were enjoying dinner and lively conversation. The topic turned to sharing stories about the childhood antics of our children who are now all young adults. There was a healthy dose of nostalgia at the table as we recounted stories from their toddler and grade school years. It was such a joy to share those memories while appreciating the fine people our children are today.

On this first Monday of Lent both readings focus on the rules God calls us to live by. While these rules are easy to agree with it, it can be a challenge to live each of them out every moment of every day. My daily Examen prayer gives me insights to when I live as God has called me to live and when I have failed. Looking at missed opportunities or times I was neglectful or retributive can leave me overwhelmed and unsure of what to do to live the life God asks of us.

Today’s Psalm helps give me encouragement to revisit what God is asking of me:
The Law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul
The decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart
The command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye

Rather than worry if I am going to be judged as a goat or a sheep, I can pray for the wisdom and insight the Psalm assures me is there in the Law the Lord. When I open my heart and realize I am a loved sinner I can much more easily live as God is asking me to live. Engaging from a place of compassion for myself and others sets a foundation for loving my neighbor as myself. Richard Rohr in Falling Upward has helped me appreciate how my failings are helping me grow in my “second half” of my life.

This Lent I will dig deeper with my Examen prayer to appreciate the bright spots and to search for what I can learn from my sin. Now that seems like a healthy choice.