Recently I was meeting with someone for spiritual direction, and they were feeling challenged by the Lord. They admitted that when this happens, they put up walls, want to give up and refuse to do what the Lord is asking. This reminded me of when I used to run track. I was always a short distant runner, but was so impressed with long distant runners because I know what it takes to run the race: hard work, practice, weight training, and putting away poor eating and sleeping habits. The same goes for us as we try to run the race spiritually. It has been five weeks since Lent began. How are you doing with all the good stuff you set out for yourself this Lent? Personally, I sometimes wish Lent (and life) was more a 100-yard dash rather than the marathon that it truly is.
Let’s not give up though! When you began Lent, you possessed pure motives, but maybe you have faltered a little on your journey. I have too. In my Lent, I am discovering that I often want God’s will to agree with my will more than I want my will to become God’s. Successful runners work hard to build endurance. They endure long runs, workouts, lift weights, and stretch. Even with sore muscles and tired lungs, they push through the pain. One of their graces though, is the “runners’ high.” This is a release of endorphins by the brain, giving a feeling of euphoria to some individuals engaged in strenuous running. The same should go for us as we run the race to strengthen our faith. The Lord will give you and me a boost too.
While many things can slow us down and stall us in the race of faith, there are also moments where we too can experience the runners’ high. I encourage you to take the rest of Lent to face your resistance, open yourself to the Lord more fully, and do what He asks. Let’s do this together. Every huff, every twinge of pain, and every ache will be worth enduring the journey to get to the finish line!
Especially for St. Moses:
- We have some great news! We have received two grants for the parish for next year: $25,000 to go toward “Discipleship Formation” and $20,000 to go toward “Christian Service Coordinator and Office Salaries”.
- SAVE the DATE: our St. Moses Town Hall meeting with the AOD folks will be after mass on April 28.
- I also want to thank the Friars! I have to take a class for the next month on Tuesday mornings and the Franciscans are filling in for me at Mass.
God Bless,
Fr. J.J.