Third of Lent 2010
March 2010
The theme today is the necessity of ongoing change in our lives.
We all know, or eventually realize, that for a certain number of years our bodies develop and grow stronger. Then there is a time when our physical development peaks and from that on, despite our best efforts, there is a gradual decline.
It is different however with our growth as persons. The key to a happy and fulfilling life is the continuous growth and development of my personality.
This involves not only intellectual and emotional development but also spiritual development.
We all know people who’s intellectual development stops at a certain point. We call them bores.
We all know people whose emotional development stops at a certain point. We call them eternal teenagers.
We all know people who’s spiritual development stops at a certain point. They become trapped in a circle of spiritual exercises and prayer patterns without any ongoing development in their relationship with their God.
In the first reading Moses was quite happy herding his flocks when God interrupted him and sent him back to Egypt where he was a wanted man.
In the second reading St. Paul warns us to beware of spiritual and personal complacency. “So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall.” he tells us.
In the Gospel Jesus tries to dislodge his followers from their lifelong belief that God was a vengeful God - punishing sinners and rewarding goodness.
On the other hand He then tells them that like the fig tree it is not sufficient to bear fruit for a period of time and then rest on ones laurels.
My spiritual life must be a growing understanding of, and intimacy with, my God.
If this is not happening there is need for reappraisal.
Lent is a time for reappraisal.
All the above is a bit up in the air, but what it means is that during Lent I should take some time out to rest quietly in the presence of my God, shut my big mouth, and let God speak to me.
The big problem with this of course is that I am seldom willing to follow His suggestions.