It has often been said in the U.S. that we’re a nation of
laws. It seems we have a rule or law for
just about everything, from mundane traffic violations to the more serious high
crimes and misdemeanors. Some are easy
to follow, and some prove difficult to follow.
Some laws seem grounded in common sense and some laws seem
incomprehensible. Some lead us to say,
“This law needs to be repealed,” and sometimes we moan the lack thereof and
lament, “there needs to be a law for this.”
Well before our nation was formed, God too saw the
importance of laws and since the days of Moses we’ve had the Ten Commandments
to follow and to guide our actions. But we’re
called to do more than just obey the laws.
God urges us to teach the law to our children and our children’s
children and to instill in them the importance of following His law. (Deuteronomy 4:1-9, Psalm 147:12-20, Matthew
5:17-19)
The command “to teach” may have a hidden meaning. Think about it. Have you ever been asked to give a speech
about a technical subject? Were you
fearful that someone would ask a question you might not know the answer to so
you began learning your subject inside and out?
No doubt this extra time spent studying the subject matter enhanced your
understanding and knowledge of the subject.
While this intensive studying has its benefits, is this the type of
learning and teaching that God really intended or is there possibly a better
way to learn and to teach the importance of following God’s commandments? I think there is. I believe in the axiom that actions speak
louder than words. I believe that our
children and, for that matter, all around us, will learn more by watching and
interacting with us as we live our faith, rather than for us to just talk about
the importance of the following the commandments.
Lent is a time for discernment, a time for reflection and a
time for meditation. So, during this
Lenten season find some quiet time each day and ask yourself how God is calling
out to you about how you living a life that follows the commandments and how
are your actions demonstrating to those around you the importance and meaning
these ten laws have on your life. Ask
yourself what you have done and what you’re doing, in your thoughts, words and
deeds, to live your life always in alignment with the commandments. Living our faith is so much more difficult
than simply professing it. The personal
rewards are so much greater for us. The
positive impact it has on those we interact with speaks volumes about the
importance of our faith and our relationship with God. I believe this may be the type of “teaching”
that God would want us to do.
******************
Picking up where I left off last week on my Lenten project
of presenting meditations on the Highs and Lows and Ups and Downs of the Most
Holy Rosary, I’ll reflect on the Sorrowful mysteries this week. The Sorrowful mysteries follow Jesus’ Passion
from His agony in the garden of Gethsemane on Thursday night to His death and
crucifixion on Friday afternoon.
I. The agony in the
garden
Brief meditation:
In this mystery, we contemplate Our Lord Jesus Christ kneeling down praying to God saying; “Father, not my
will but they will be done.” We ask the
Blessed Virgin Mary to inspire us with this scene that we may always search for
God’s will at every moment of our lives, especially on the special moments,
and, once we find it, that we may always obey it even above
our own will.
Scriptural meditation:
1. Then going out
[Jesus] went up, as was his custom, to the Mount
of Olives, and the disciples followed him. (Luke 22:39)-Hail Mary…
2. When he arrived
at the place he said to them, "Pray that you may not undergo the
test." (Luke 22:40)- Hail Mary…
3. After withdrawing
about a stone's throw from them and kneeling, he
prayed, saying, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me;
still, not my will but yours be done." (Luke 22:41-42)- Hail Mary ...
4. And to strengthen
him an angel from heaven appeared to him. (Luke
22:43)- Hail Mary ...
5. He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became
like drops of blood falling on the ground. (Luke
22:44)- Hail Mary ...
6. The spirit is
willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 26:41)-
Hail Mary ...
7. I cry aloud to God, cry
to God to hear me. (Psalm 77:2)- Hail Mary ...
8. On the day of my distress I seek the Lord; by night my hands are raised unceasingly; I refuse to be consoled. (Psalm
77:3)- Hail Mary ...
9. My eyes cannot
close in sleep; I am troubled and cannot speak.
(Psalm 77:5)- Hail Mary ...
10. In the night I
meditate in my heart; I ponder and my spirit broods.
(Psalm 77:7)- Hail Mary ...
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