As we begin this Lent, are we tempted to think it’s “just another Lent?” Or is our Lord calling us to a more profound 40 days?

Isaiah challenges us to turn away from sin’s darkness into the radiant promise of the light of Christ. I’m drawn to the sentiment, “If you call the sabbath a delight …. Then you shall delight in the Lord.” In today’s world of “busy-ness” Sunday becomes the day to do what we can’t accomplish during the week’s daily obligations. Isaiah tells us to call the sabbath a delight, and then we shall delight in the Lord. When we delight in the Lord, we enjoy his blessings not because of the gifts he gives us. Rather, we delight in the Lord because he is our God. We start our Sabbath in prayer at the Table of the Eucharist and continue prayer when we gather at table as family.

We continue living out today’s readings, asking God to teach us his ways. As we ask for forgiveness, He asks us to forgive anyone who has hurt us, as said in the Lord’s Prayer. When we take it a step further, we ask for help to be a “giving” people, giving of ourselves when it may be an imposition. Perhaps it’s as simple as calling someone alone to say hello! What can we say to a person who has recently lost a loved one? “I’m sorry for your loss” appears to be what is commonly said too often. How about we change those words to “I’m sorry you are hurting. I’m here for you; my heart and ears are always open to you.” Or, how about just providing that hug allowing God’s Spirit to speak through your embrace.

Let us delight in the Lord!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, through Your grace, St. Peter Julian understood the Eucharist to be Your Gift of Self to the world. May our prayers lead us to an ardent love of the Eucharist so that, like St. Peter Julian, we may shine in the world with the Radiance of Your Presence, a radiance that will silently say: Jesus is there – let us go to Him!

St. Peter Julian, Apostle of the Eucharist, pray for us. Amen. (Saint Peter Julian Eymard Novena Prayer)