Day 4: “Follow Me” – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 7:41 — 5.4MB) | Embed

A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 4: “Follow Me“

Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible):

Luke 5:27-32
“When Jesus went out, He noticed a tax collector called Levi sitting by the customs house, and He said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything, he got up and followed Him. In his house, Levi held a great reception for Jesus, and with them at table was a large gathering of tax collectors and others. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to His disciples and said, ‘Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’ Jesus answered them, ‘It is not those who are well who need the doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the virtuous, but sinners to repentance.’”

Reflection:

Today, Jesus speaks those simple yet life-changing words to Levi: “Follow me.” And with no hesitation, Levi leaves everything behind—his job, his income, his old life—and follows Jesus.

This moment is at the heart of Lent. Every day, Jesus speaks these same words to us: “Follow me.” And like Levi, we are invited to let go of what holds us back—our attachments, fears, and sins—and trust in the new life Jesus offers.

But surrendering is not easy. To leave behind the familiar requires trust, courage, and faith. It is human to hesitate, to wonder what might be lost. Yet, Jesus does not ask for perfection; He asks for willingness. He meets us where we are, in the ordinary moments of life, and calls us into something greater than ourselves.

Self-examination can be difficult and sometimes painful. Often, we avoid looking at the darker corners of our lives out of shame, disappointment with ourselves, or even fear. Yet, the gentle Jesus does not leave us alone. It is He who calls us, He who will guide us. Allowing time and space to listen in silence to what He lovingly reveals to us is the first step in following Him. His voice does not shame or accuse; rather, it reveals and invites. He does not condemn but encourages us to let go, to trust, and to be healed in love.

One practical daily practice to help us grow in awareness of God’s presence and discern His call more deeply is the Examen Prayer, as offered by St. Ignatius of Loyola. This prayer helps us to reflect on our day with gratitude, recognize where God was present, and identify where He is leading us to deeper conversion. The Examen is a powerful tool for cultivating a listening heart, learning from our experiences, and growing in trust. A guide for the Examen can be found on DiscerningHearts.com or in the free Discerning Hearts app.

The prophet Isaiah assures us that God will guide us through the challenges of this surrender. When we let go of the burdens we carry, Isaiah promises: “Your light will rise in the darkness, and your shadows become like noon.” (Isaiah 58:10) God strengthens us when we entrust ourselves to Him fully.

The Desert Fathers deeply understood the struggle of surrendering to God. Abba Theodore of Pherme taught:

“Let us strive to enter through the narrow gate. Just as trees cannot bear fruit if they have not stood against the wind, so too does the one who struggles bear the fruit of the Spirit.” (Apophthegmata Patrum, Alphabetical Collection, Theodore of Pherme 5)

Saying yes to Jesus is the narrow way. It involves struggle and sacrifice, but it also leads to freedom, healing, and joy. Jesus does not call us because we are perfect or ready—He calls us because He longs to transform us.

St. Francis de Sales, a master of the spiritual life, encourages us in this journey of trust. He writes:

“Do not fear what might happen tomorrow. The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.” (Letters to a Devout Life)

Take a moment to imagine yourself in Levi’s place, sitting at your work, at your daily tasks, when suddenly Jesus walks by and speaks directly to you: “Follow me.” What do you feel? Do you hesitate? Do you rise immediately? Ask for the grace to trust His voice, to leave behind what no longer leads you to Him, and to embrace the joy of walking in His footsteps.

Reflection Questions:

What attachments or habits make it difficult for us to hear and respond to Jesus’ call to“Follow me”?
How can we trust that surrendering to Christ will bring greater freedom and joy?
What practical steps can we take today to respond to Jesus’ invitation to follow Him?

Closing Prayer:

Lord, You call us each day with those simple yet powerful words: “Follow me.” Give us the courage to leave behind whatever holds us back—our attachments, fears, and distractions—and to trust fully in You. Strengthen us as we walk the narrow path, and fill our hearts with the light of Your presence. May we, like Levi, respond with joy and trust, knowing that You walk beside us every step of the way. Amen.

This reflection is written by Kris McGregor of Discerning Hearts®. The Scripture passage is taken from the Jerusalem Bible (1966 edition), used with permission. No unauthorized use or reproduction is permitted without prior written consent.

Saturday after Ash Wednesday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 9:03 — 6.4MB) | Embed

Saturday after Ash Wednesday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.

Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”

Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…

From the Holy Gospel of St. Luke 5:27-32

Jesus noticed a tax collector, Levi by name, sitting by the customs house, and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything he got up and followed him.

In his honour Levi held a great reception in his house, and with them at table was a large gathering of tax collectors and others. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples and said, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’ Jesus said to them in reply, ‘It is not those who are well who need the doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the virtuous, but sinners to repentance.’

What word made this passage come alive for you?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:

Jesus noticed a tax collector, Levi by name, sitting by the customs house, and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything he got up and followed him.

In his honour Levi held a great reception in his house, and with them at table was a large gathering of tax collectors and others. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples and said, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’ Jesus said to them in reply, ‘It is not those who are well who need the doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the virtuous, but sinners to repentance.’

What did your heart feel as you listened?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:

Jesus noticed a tax collector, Levi by name, sitting by the customs house, and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything he got up and followed him.

In his honour Levi held a great reception in his house, and with them at table was a large gathering of tax collectors and others. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples and said, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’ Jesus said to them in reply, ‘It is not those who are well who need the doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the virtuous, but sinners to repentance.’

What touched your heart in this time of prayer?

What did your heart feel as you prayed?

What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Amen

Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.

The Story of St. Perpetua – In Conversation with Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:37 — 27.2MB) | Embed

The Story of St. Perpetua – In Conversation with Mike Aquilina

Mike Aquilina joins Kris and Bruce McGregor to discuss St. Perpetua, an early Christian martyr whose story has been powerfully preserved through her own writings. St. Perpetua’s remarkable courage, faith, and rebellious spirit against the evils of the world, as well as her deep trust in Christ, enabled her to embrace martyrdom despite the many comforts of her noble status, young motherhood, and privileged upbringing.

Her account is one of the few firsthand writings from an early Christian woman, making her an extraordinary voice in Church history. Her willingness to sacrifice everything for Christ, including her family and infant child, serves as a powerful witness that continues to inspire believers today.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

What aspects of St. Perpetua’s faith and courage inspire you most, and why?
How does Perpetua’s willingness to sacrifice everything for Christ challenge your own faith journey?
In what ways do you see the same kind of persecution of Christians happening in the world today?
How can you apply Perpetua’s unwavering trust in God to your daily struggles and decisions?
What does her story teach us about the value of spiritual preparation and perseverance in suffering?
How does Perpetua’s example encourage you to be bolder in professing your faith, even in small ways?
What role does community play in strengthening our faith, as seen in Perpetua’s prison experience?
How does the idea of “good rebellion” against the world’s evils apply to your spiritual life?
How can the witness of martyrs like Perpetua help deepen your appreciation for the Eucharist and sacraments?
What concrete steps can you take to learn more about the early Church and its martyrs?

From CNA:

“Saints Perpetua and Felicity were martyrs who died for the faith around the year 203.

St. Perpetua was a young, well-educated, noblewoman and mother living in the city of Carthage in North Africa. Her mother was a Christian and her father was a pagan. In terms of her faith, Perpetua followed the example of her mother. Despite the pleas of her father to deny her faith, Perpetua did the very opposite, and fearlessly proclaimed it. At the age of 22, she was imprisoned for her faith. While in prison she continued to care for her infant child and put up with the tortures designed to make her renounce her faith. Perpetua remained steadfast until the end. St. Perpetua was sacrificed at the games as a public spectacle for not renouncing her faith.
St. Felicity was a pregnant slave girl who was imprisoned with St. Perpetua. Little is known about the life of St. Felicity because, unlike Perpetua, she did not keep a diary of her life. After imprisonment and torture, Felicity was also condemned to die at the games. Only a few days before her execution, Felicity gave birth to a daughter who was secretly taken away to be cared for by some of the Faithful.

The feast of these Saints is March 7.“

Visit Catholic Heroes of the Faith to learn more about the animation Mike Aquilina talks about

fsdfsdf

SC-1 – The 1st and 2nd Stations – Stations of the Cross with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:45 — 20.5MB) | Embed

The 1st and 2nd Stations – Stations of the Cross with Deacon James Keating

Deacon James Keating reflects on the Stations of the Cross as a profound meditation on Christ’s suffering and its connection to human woundedness. Through this devotion, believers unite their burdens with Christ, allowing His love to transform their struggles into a path of salvation. The first station, Jesus’ condemnation, reveals His silent acceptance of injustice, a model for enduring suffering in communion with God. Pilate represents those who reject truth for self-preservation, while Jesus remains steadfast in His mission. His silence before Pilate and His choice to embrace the cross demonstrate perfect love, teaching that God enters even the darkest places of human suffering to ensure no one is abandoned.

As Jesus receives the cross, Dcn. Keating highlights medieval writings that portray Him as willingly taking it, seeing it as the culmination of His love for humanity. His embrace of suffering stands in contrast to human tendencies to resist crosses in life. The lack of compassion from those placing the cross on Him reflects the tendency to project guilt onto others rather than face personal sin. Jesus receives every aspect of human experience, including jeers and rejection, so that all may be reconciled in His love.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

How does uniting our personal burdens with Christ’s suffering in the Stations of the Cross deepen our understanding of redemption?
In what ways do we, like Pilate, struggle to acknowledge and stand by the truth when it challenges our self-interest?
How does Jesus’ silence before His accusers reveal the depth of His love and obedience to the Father?
What fears or attachments keep us from embracing our own crosses with trust in God’s will?
How does Jesus’ willingness to carry the cross inspire us to accept suffering as a means of sanctification?
In what areas of our lives have we “washed our hands” of responsibility instead of courageously choosing truth?
How can we cultivate a spirit of humility and surrender, following Jesus’ example in His Passion?
What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping us bear our own trials with faith and perseverance?
How does reflecting on Jesus’ rejection and suffering help us approach our own experiences of betrayal and loneliness?
In what ways can we pray for the grace to receive and carry our crosses with the same love that Christ showed?

Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.

Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page

PoC-3 Friday after Ash Wednesday: The Power of the Cross Lenten Meditation

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:53 — 2.1MB) | Embed

Friday after Ash Wednesday

HOW MUCH WE NEED JESUS

Steps to Take as You Follow Christ sf_deathdefeated_03

Ask—How greatly do I feel the need for Christ in my life?

Seek— Practice fasting before your reception of the Eucharist. Also find special times to fast before high points in the Christian year and during high points in your own life so that you may always remain focused on your need for Christ. Try doing more than is required by the Church.

Knock—Meditate on Revelation 22:17, 20

The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come’. Let everyone who listens answer, ‘Come’. Then let all who are thirsty come: all who want it may have the water of life, and have it free. The one who guarantees these revelations repeats his promise: I shall indeed be with you soon. Amen; come, Lord Jesus.

What did Jesus say about two or more gathering in his name?
Who are you waiting for?

Transform Your Life—Foster and keep before you the need that you have for Jesus. Make your constant prayer to Jesus one of entreating him to come, to be present, inviting him to be a part of your life.

The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book 61189_profile_pic1-213x300 ! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.

The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here

Check out more at the Discerning Hearts’ Michael Dubruiel page

Day 3: “The Fast That God Desires” – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 5:47 — 4.1MB) | Embed

A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 3: “The Fast That God Desires” – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible):

Isaiah 58:6-9
“Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me—it is the Lord who speaks—to break unjust fetters and undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke, to share your bread with the hungry, and shelter the homeless poor, to clothe the man you see to be naked and not turn from your own kin? Then will your light shine like the dawn, and your wound be quickly healed over. Saving justice will go before you, and the Lord’s glory behind you. Then you will cry, and the Lord will answer; you will call, and he will say, ‘I am here.’”

Reflection:

Today, through the prophet Isaiah, God speaks to us about the true meaning of fasting. Too often, we focus on what we are giving up—a favorite food, an indulgence, or a habit. But Isaiah reveals that true fasting is about freedom—freedom from the chains that bind us, and freedom to love and serve others more fully.

St. John Cassian, in his teachings on the spiritual life, writes:
“Fasting restrains gluttony, the root of all vices, and cuts off the fuel that feeds the activity of the evil one.”(Conferences, Book 5, Chapter 6)

For Cassian, fasting is not just about discipline for the body but a weapon for the soul. It weakens the power of sin and creates space for God’s grace to work in us. True fasting is about more than denial; it is about transformation. It purifies our hearts, helping us to focus on God and respond to the needs of others.

The Desert Fathers echo this wisdom. Abba John said:
“If a man shuts his mouth but harbors resentment in his heart, he is fasting only outwardly.” (Apophthegmata Patrum, Alphabetical Collection, John 5)

Fasting is not just about abstaining from food—it is about letting go of pride, selfishness, and judgment so that God’s light can shine through us. Isaiah promises that when we fast in this way, “Then will your light shine like the dawn, and your wound be quickly healed over.”Fasting brings freedom and healing, not just for ourselves but for those around us.

The great St. Augustine, in his Sermon on the Lord’s Prayer, reminds us that fasting must always be paired with charity:
“Do you wish your prayer to fly toward God? Give it two wings: fasting and almsgiving.” (Sermon 206)

When we fast, it should lead us to greater generosity—sharing our bread with the hungry, clothing the naked, and sheltering the homeless. It should open our eyes to the needs of others and our hearts to love.

Reflection Questions:

Take a moment to sit with these questions and let them guide your prayer today:

What attachments or habits weigh us down and prevent us from living freely in God’s love?
How is God calling us to a deeper, interior fast that transforms our hearts?
How can our fasting bring healing and light to others in our lives?

Closing Prayer:

Let us now bring our time of reflection to God in prayer, asking for His grace to help us live out the fast that He desires.

Lord, You have shown us the fast that pleases You: to break chains, to love generously, and to walk humbly with You. Help us to fast not only with our bodies but with our hearts. Free us from the attachments that weigh us down, and open our eyes to the needs of others. May our fasting this Lent be a source of healing, renewal, and light—for ourselves and for the world.
Amen.

Friday after Ash Wednesday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 7:38 — 5.4MB) | Embed

Friday after Ash Wednesday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.

Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”

Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…

From the Holy Gospel of St. Matthew 9:14-15

John’s disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast.’

What word made this passage come alive for you?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:

John’s disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast.’

What did your heart feel as you listened?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:

John’s disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast.’

What touched your heart in this time of prayer?

What did your heart feel as you prayed?

What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Amen

Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.

Day 2: The Call to Conversion – “Turning Toward the Light” – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 4:57 — 3.5MB) | Embed

A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 2: The Call to Conversion – “Turning Toward the Light”

Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible):
Matthew 4:17
“From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'”

Reflection:

Today’s scripture reminds us of Jesus’ central message as He begins His public ministry: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Repentance is not just about feeling sorry for our sins. It is about turning—turning away from darkness and sin and toward the light of God’s grace. It is a reorientation of our hearts, minds, and lives toward God.

This turning can feel daunting. We may be hesitant to confront our weaknesses, our failures, and the ways we have strayed from God. Yet, Jesus’ call to repentance is not harsh or condemning. It is an invitation to healing and renewal. The kingdom of heaven is near because Jesus Himself has drawn near. He does not call us to change on our own but to open our hearts to His transforming love.

The Desert Fathers often spoke of repentance as a daily turning of the heart. Abba Poemen said: “Do not give your heart to that which does not satisfy the heart.” (Apophthegmata Patrum, Alphabetical Collection, Poemen 15) His words challenge us to examine our lives honestly. What are the things we cling to that cannot satisfy the deeper longing of our hearts? What are the distractions or attachments that keep us from fully turning to God?

St. John Chrysostom, reflecting on repentance, said: “Be ashamed when you sin, not when you repent. Repentance is medicine, sin is the wound.” This image of repentance as medicine invites us to see it not as a burden but as a gift. It is the means by which God heals the wounds of our sin and restores us to wholeness.

St. Teresa of Ávila reminds us that this turning toward God must also come from a place of humility: “Do not let us deceive ourselves into thinking that because we confess our sins, we have repented. True repentance is shown in the amendment of life, in surrendering our will to God’s will.” Lent is an opportunity to not only ask for forgiveness but to commit to a renewed way of living in alignment with God’s grace.

As we reflect on Jesus’ call to repentance, let us take a moment to examine our own lives.

Repentance is not a one-time event. It is a daily practice, a continual turning of the heart toward God. Each day of Lent is an opportunity to take another step on this journey of conversion, trusting that God’s grace will meet us every step of the way.

Reflection Questions:

What are the areas in your life where God is calling you to repentance and renewal?
How can you let go of distractions or attachments that do not satisfy your heart?
What practical steps can you take today to turn more fully toward God?

Closing Prayer:

Let us conclude with a prayer of repentance and trust in God’s mercy:

Lord Jesus, You call us to repent and turn toward the light of Your kingdom. Help us to recognize the ways we have strayed from You and to trust in Your mercy. Heal the wounds of our sin and renew our hearts by Your grace. May this day be a step closer to You, as we open ourselves to Your transforming love. Strengthen us to let go of what does not satisfy and to turn wholeheartedly to You.
Amen.

The Redeemer and the Gift of Lent – Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 7:47 — 5.5MB) | Embed

The Redeemer and the Gift of Lent

From Beginning to Pray

Each of us has a great task … that of becoming who God made us to be. Were we without sin, this task would still be impossible for us, left to our own resources and abilities. For indeed, the Lord created us in His Image and Likeness. This means that we are made to be the praise of God’s glory, living icons of His hidden life and love in His visible creation. What creature could ever attain to such holiness and splendor? Yet, we are made, though a little less than the angels, the very crown of God’s creative action.

The great purpose entrusted to each one of us was long ago made subject to futility because of the mystery of sin. From the very origins of humanity, the envy of Satan and the sin of our first parents has threatened our existence. Though we want to do what is good, noble, and true, without Divine help, we are inclined to fall into an abyss of self-contradictions. Our desire to praise God, to make known His glory, never leaves us, even if it is utterly forgotten or resisted. Our restlessness and death remind us of our downfall and pride, but sin and its consequences are not the last word about humanity. Something more beautiful defines the mystery of our humanity, and every man and woman is invited to freely accept this calling if they will listen to the voice of God.

The Father, whose thought of us delighted Him so much that He summoned us into existence, could not bear that we should perish without hope. As He promised, He sent us a Redeemer who would enter into our plight and rescue us from sin and death. This Good Shepherd did not fear the wolves that threaten our existence and he did not allow the distance that we had strayed to discourage Him in His search for us. A physician of the body and spirit, His words of truth are the remedy for the wounds we bear and the mistaken judgments that have driven us into myths and alienation. He does this moreover by entering into our misery so deep that in the face of our hostility, He patiently remains and will not forsake us, anxious that we should not suffer alone.

Call to Him. He actively works, holding nothing back, until our dignity is restored and our every humiliation redressed. Indeed, all that is most precious to Him – His obedience to the Father and His own devotion to His Mother, He freely offers as a gift to all those who ask. Most of all, by his passion and Crucifixion, He merited for our sake that Divine Gift whose presence not only remits our sins and consecrates us in holiness, but infuses us with the love that the Father has yearned for us to know. An inexhaustible fountain, this sanctifying Gift infuses every moment with treasures too precious for this present life to hold, but imperfectly, for a time, if only we ask and accept what He offers us.

Because even the most imperfect beginnings of this New Life offer so much hope to the world, we must also welcome Lent as a gift won for us by the Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep. Lenten observance is no more than a participation in the graces already won for us — and they point somewhere beyond the here and now, to mysteries so sacred and tender, even the greatest joys of this life are as nothing in comparison. We step into an arena because the life of the Risen Lord in us enables us to be contestants in the battle for all that is good, noble and true. We fight with confidence against all that threatens not only our own integrity but that of our brothers and sisters too because Christ gives us a sharing in His confidence. We do not fear our weaknesses but surrender them in prayer and repentance as occasions for the power of God to be made perfect. We run the race because the Spirit of the Lord quickens us on our way until nothing can hold us back from the prize.

The Lenten Discipline invites us to embrace in our own lives the victory won for us at such a great price. If we practice self-denial, it is because in the blood and water that flowed from His sacrifice we have already received all we really need. If we fast, it is because we already feast on the Bread of Life who sustains us with truth that no earthly bread can provide. If we are merciful to those to whom the Lord sends us, it is only because it is His mercy in us that compels us. If we sorrow over our sins and imperfections, we are also compelled by Christ to share our joy with others at any cost.

We die to our earthly dreams so that Christ’s dream for us might unfold in our heart and our spirit might finally awaken to love. In hours spent silently listening to the Word of the Father, we anticipate a reality too great for this world to contain, a fulfillment long ago yearned for by God and whose shadow calls to our existence even now. We offer our bodily existence in spiritual sacrifice because united to Christ in the Holy Spirit, our whole being finally begins to become what the Father predestined us to be: the praise of the Trinity’s glorious grace.

Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint Patrick’s Seminary & University in Menlo Park, California. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.

PoC-2 Thursday after Ash Wednesday: The Power of the Cross Lenten Meditation

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:12 — 2.3MB) | Embed

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

THE INVITATION OF JESUS

Steps to Take as You Follow Christ sf_deathdefeated_03

Ask—Do I fear the cross of Christ or do I embrace it?

Seek—Place a crucifix in a prominent place in your home. Look upon this sign of our salvation upon rising and before you retire for the night, asking Christ to help you to “take up your cross” and follow him.

Knock—Meditate on Philippians 3:18-21

I have told you often, and I repeat it today with tears, there are many who are behaving as the enemies of the cross of Christ.

They are destined to be lost. They make foods into their god and they are proudest of something they ought to think shameful; the things they think important are earthly things.

For us, our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes the saviour we are waiting for, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body. He will do that by the same power with which he can subdue the whole universe.

What are you living for?
Do you see the saving power of the cross or are you an enemy of the cross?
Do you believe in the power of Christ?

Transform Your Life— Believe in the gospel and experience the liberating effects of taking up your cross and following Jesus. Make your life one that will not be spent looking backward in regret for all the good that you did not do—focus on the good that you can do right now!

The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book 61189_profile_pic1-213x300 We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.

The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here

Check out more at the Discerning Hearts’ Michael Dubruiel page