The Gospel today offers us two helps for our Lenten journey: first, a spur to action and second, a cause for hope. With the former we are reminded that catastrophe or misfortune can happen at any time regardless of how moral we are. Nevertheless, it is incumbent on us to be ready so that we do not come before the Lord unprepared. That means making the most of our chance for conversion and repentance while the going is good. Lent is exactly that opportunity. The latter gives us hope because no matter how barren or unfruitful spiritually we have been, or are at present, the cultivation of the virtues through penance, almsgiving and prayer during Lent, by the patience and love of God, means we can always flourish and do good works for the Kingdom. God does not give up on us even when others do! He wants us to be happy and to experience the joy of experiencing his grace. Do you remember when you last felt the joy of helping someone to know Jesus and seeing the transformation in his or her life? That joy we can feel for ourselves when we begin to live a life in accord with the faith and see God at work in us. This happens even when we have given up on ourselves.
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