Coming to His Senses

Coming to His Senses

March 2, 2013

Saturday of the Second Week of Lent

Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance; Who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency,
And will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our guilt?  Micah 7:18-19b

Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger.  I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’  So he got up and went back to his father.  Luke 15:17-19

Piety

Lord God, We entrust ourselves to your will.  Let us be open to your presence tomorrow, Not just at the end of the day but throughout the day.  Assist us in all that we do.  We ask this through Christ Our Lord.  Amen.

Study

As we have moved through this holy season, our Little Lenten Instruction booklet (also known as the Daily Readings) presents two alternative approaches to life.  One approach is followed by those who trust in their human hearts.  The other is followed by those who trust in God.  Today's lesson shows us the hope there is when we we change our orientation from selfish to God-ish.

Action

Have you had a moment of clarity when you have come to your senses about the direction in which you seek happiness?  Like the Prodigal Son, we have to pause and assess where we are in life and how we can improve our situation.  Being mindful of our situation in the present moment, consider how you can use the Jesuit practice of the Examen in your Lenten journey.  Saint Ignatius suggests these steps for a twice a day reflections -- in the morning and evening.

Step 1) Quiet yourself and recall that you are in the presence of God.

Step 2) Ask God to assist you in making the examination.

Step 3) Recall the people, places and things that have entered you day since your last examination. Ask where God might have been present in the sights, sounds, tastes, and sensations of your day.

Step 4) Consider where you may have turned away from God’s desires for you in your choices or actions.

Step 5) Form a resolve based on numbers three and four above to change some behavior or attitude in yourself. Ask God to help you with this resolve. Conclude with a familiar prayer that you like.