Beloved Father, in today’s liturgy we encounter the devil, who dares to try to seduce Your divine Son. How presumptuous of him, for there is no “weakness” in Jesus that he could exploit for his own ends, and no one could be more faithful to You than He, Your beloved Son.
Showing all posts by Elija
Day 5: “Take advantage of grace and resist temptations”
“We entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, ‘At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation.’ Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor 6:1–2)
With this exhortation, St. Paul introduces us to the first Sunday of Lent and offers an essential guideline for advancing on the path undertaken in this time of grace. In ancient times, Lent began precisely on this Sunday. It was considered a “second gateway” to this great season of penance, after having passed through the first gateway on Ash Wednesday. If we start from the concept of the “second gate,” then we would read the following inscription in gold letters above it: “Take advantage of the time of grace.” Read More
Day 4: “Faith unleashes God’s work”
Today, on the fourth day of our Lenten journey, the Lord—through the prophet Isaiah—again emphasizes the importance of acting justly toward our neighbor and keeping His commandments. If we do so, true peace will enter our souls, and what the reading promises will come to pass:
“You shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters fail not (…). then you shall take delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride upon the heights of the earth” (Is 58:11b, 14a).
Indeed, only righteous conduct and obedience to God’s commandments bring true peace to the human person and enable him, in turn, to become an “instrument of peace.” If we live in God’s grace—or, in the words of the prophet Isaiah, if we are a “well-watered garden”—then we will also bear good fruit. On the other hand, how could there be peace if, because of sin, we live in inner contradiction and opposition to God? That is why the call to conversion is always a priority, whether we have strayed completely from the path, do not know God, or have neglected to follow Christ and have not responded sufficiently to the grace entrusted to us.
TRUE FASTING
“Fasting reduces selfishness within us and opens our hearts to the poor.” (From the Preface of Lent)
Day 3: “The Benefits of Fasting”
Today, on the third day of our Lenten journey, the readings introduce us to the themes of fasting and loving our enemies.
Fasting—and by this we mean, first and foremost, bodily fasting, which was very common in the Church in times past—is a very good and beneficial practice for our spiritual life in following Christ. Without a doubt, it is a sacrifice pleasing to God if it is accompanied by the struggle for holiness in general. The reading from the Book of Isaiah points out the frequent abuses that displeased God in the fasting practiced by His people. It is easy to understand that this practice can only be pleasing in His eyes when it is done with a sincere heart.
A WAY TO LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:44).
“THE LORD WAS AMAZED”
PRELIMINARY NOTE: This reflection relates to today’s daily meditation (en.elijamission.net) and is probably only understandable in that context.
Day 2: ‘In the School of Prayer’
After passing through the door of Ash Wednesday, today’s traditional liturgy presents us with a story from the prophet Isaiah. He was sent to deliver sad news to King Hezekiah, who was terminally ill: “Thus says the LORD: Set your house in order; for you shall die, you shall not recover.” (Is 38:1b).
The king was deeply moved by this message, for he was clearly not yet ready to die. Perhaps he remembered the promise of a long and happy life for those who kept the covenant. His pain must have been even greater when he realized that he would die without leaving an heir to the throne. The story continues:
“Hezeki′ah turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the Lord, and said, “Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in thy sight.” And Hezeki′ah wept bitterly.” (vv. 2–3).
“A SECRET OF LOVE”
PRELIMINARY NOTE: During these forty days, the “3 Minutes for Abba” are presented as part of the daily meditations, which form a kind of spiritual retreat for Lent: https://en.elijamission.net/category/3-minutes-for-god-the-father/
“Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Mt 6:4b)
LENTEN SPIRITUAL RETREAT – Day 1: “A path of conversion, penance, and prayer”
Introductory Reflections
Lent occupies a very important place in the liturgical year. It begins today with Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. For forty days and forty nights, the faithful embark on a journey of profound conversion to prepare for the celebration of Easter.
The flood lasted forty days and forty nights; it took Israel forty years to cross the desert before entering the Promised Land; forty days Moses fasted before receiving the Law for his people; forty days the prophet Elijah made his pilgrimage to Mount Horeb; and forty days and forty nights Our Lord Jesus Christ fasted in the desert before beginning His public ministry and revealing Himself as the Son of God.