Straining forward
As our Lenten journey continues beyond thirty days, think of our Lord Jesus and how great the struggle he endured in the desert as his fasting continued for that same period.
We are called during Lent to unite our “suffering” to that of our Lord, to empty ourselves of pride, anger, lust, envy, gluttony, avarice and sloth in order to hear the Spirit. We don’t know how much longer we can endure our Lenten commitment, and yet, if we pause to stand next to Jesus, we are assured we can do more.
In today’s second reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Philippians, the great apostle states, “Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus.” You may recall that Paul endured lashings, being stoned, being beaten with rods, being shipwrecked, etc., and yet he reminds us to strain forward, forgetting what lies behind.
This is priceless guidance! How many of us are filled with anxiety, tension, worry and other negative emotions because we can’t control what’s happening to our ministries? St. Paul, who endured far more than I ever will, encourages me to pursue the prize of God’s calling. I’m called, just as each of us is, to love God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength and my neighbor as myself. Nothing more, but certainly nothing less.
St. Louis de Montfort was famous for preaching missions which were often followed by the erection of a Calvary scene with a large cross. Once, the parishioners who attended his mission erected a scene including a 50-foot high cross — a glorious tribute to Jesus. On the very day of its dedication, the king ordered it to be torn down. St. Louis de Montfort, known for his fiery passion, exclaimed: “We had hoped to build a Calvary here. Let us build it in our hearts. Blessed be God!”
The takeaway for us is this — don’t lose sight of our ministry and calling by fretting over those things we can’t control. Rather, strain forward during the remainder of this Lenten season to pursue our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who alone makes all things new!
Deacon Gary Tester is President of Catholic Charities of Central Florida.