Week 266

Positive post Sunday, March 27, 2022- Week 266.

As I continue my Lenten journey, I thought I would share one of my daily Lenten readings from Loyola Press. I found the March 12th edition of Living Lent Daily very thoughtful and timely. For me, it’s a good reminder to stand with Jesus as I struggle through all the worldly challenges and changes many of us are facing these days. The short but powerful reading is below.

Excerpted from Making Choices in Christ by Joseph A. Tetlow, SJ.

Loyola Press, Living Lent Daily, March 12, 2020:

All disciples have to choose where we are going to stand—with Jesus or with the world. No matter what life the Spirit has drawn us to, once we are baptized and confirmed we are called to stand in Jesus’ company under his flag.

We begin to move under Jesus’ standard when we join him in the living conviction that everything we have and are is God’s gift. However much or little we have, we say gratefully, “Look at all God has given me.” Then the way opens through the smoke of self-satisfaction and approval of others. “How can I help?” becomes a daily preoccupation. And through a life of love and service, the Spirit leads us to live as meekly and humbly as the Lord lived—whether we are a famous ballerina or an anonymous computer programmer.

What caught my attention, is the sentence regarding self-satisfaction and approval of others. It reminded me of the importance of serving others not ourselves. Afterall, it is through serving others that we achieve true satisfaction and meaning in our lives. I’d also challenge us to look beyond the approval of others and focus on doing the right thing. Seek God’s guidance and approval rather than the approval of others. Our reward is far greater, everlasting life.

I stand under Jesus’ flag, where do you stand?

How do you serve others and seek God’s guidance and approval in your life?