Daily Gospel Reflection for February 23, 2023

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Luke 9:22-25

What are you doing for Lent this year? We might come into Lent in a sort of automatic mode, where we follow the required practices of fasting and abstinence and think that’s enough. Perhaps we have chosen to do better, to do more. But, before we go any further, we must ask ourselves the one important question: Who is leading us?

Jesus was led into the desert by the Holy Spirit. There He went to be tempted by the devil and ministered to by angels. Even Jesus, Who is God, did not choose His own path. He chose the path set before Him by the Father. The Church sets a path before us, rules that we must follow. This part is easy; we know Whom we follow. Anything more than that must be discerned.

St. Peter Julian Eymard says:

“The devil confuses everything to lead us to despair. On the contrary, the Holy Spirit speaks clearly and in detail; he shows the sacrifice to be made and names it.”

In today’s first reading, the Holy Spirit speaks clearly and in detail:

“I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then . . . ” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

There is no middle ground. We are either with God or we are against Him. We are either following His will, or we are following our own.

While the shadow of the ashes is still on our foreheads, and we are ready to travel through the desert of Lent, we should pause for a moment and examine who is leading us this way. And if the answer is not Jesus, let us turn around and follow Him,

"For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” Luke 9:24

Ponder:

Look at the practices you have decided to undertake for Lent this year and ask yourself, "Why am I doing this? Is this inspiration coming from the Holy Spirit? (Is it clear? Do I feel at peace?)"

Pray:

Prompt our actions with Your inspiration, O Lord, and further them with Your constant help, that all we do may always begin with You and by You be brought to completion.