Memorial of Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church
It is not easy to hear our Gospel today, “you have only done what you were commanded.” Our Catholic lives are not about minimums, not about getting rewards for doing what is minimally required. Our life must be more than that. So, what how do we take today’s gospel?
We are facing a reality where our faith will be radically challenged, and we will need to go beyond simply professing the faith; we will need to show our faith beyond doubt, in word and in action. We will need to first show we can do what is expected of us and then with courage, speak out and act out for the faith; we cannot simply rely on doing what we are minimally required to do, otherwise, we will lose our faith.
So reflect a moment with me, am I doing what is expected of me? Am I living the faith as I should? How am I being challenged to reach beyond my small experience? Can you, with St. Paul, proclaim: “For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ.”
Reflection by Fr. Etienne Huard, OSB
Posted in Articles for Lent, Daily Reflections, Lenten Resources