Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Today's Mass Readings

… they knew not the hidden counsels of God;

We can easily become dull against the hidden purposes of God. Of course, one can ask, ‘Who can know the hidden purposes of God?’ But the Scriptures, in what they say next, point to what is meant: neither did they count on a recompense of holiness nor discern the innocent souls’ reward. We can be ignorant by not desiring; we can miss the light by not wanting the prize.
We are created to want something. To follow Christ is to be stretched.

The hard work of understanding “inner desire,” – which St. Gregory the Great speaks of, a desire God has placed within us – calls for a good and realistic use of time. It means we train ourselves to use our time paying attention. Paying attention at Mass, for example, being present to the Sacred Action. Paying attention to those deep, inner inspirations which run, subterranean-like, within us and the opportunities they present to us.

This really involves a healthy solitude—coming to ourselves. It refers to what Fr. Greg Boyle calls, the “authority” of the person.

In the Sacred Word, whether in lectio or in the Sacred Liturgy, it is Christ who is leading us to recognize our worth in the Father’s eyes. The Father sends him to us to learn that we are beloved, that we have a destination to glory!

Do I really desire this?

Reflection by Fr. Xavier Nacke, OSB