Lent, Day Twenty-Seven, Fourth Monday of Lent
My second suggestion for claiming your blessedness is the cultivation of presence. By presence I mean attentiveness to the blessings that come to you day after day, year after year. The problem of modern living is that we are too busy... to notice that we are being blessed. Often, people say good things about us, but we brush them aside with remarks such as, "Oh, don't mention it." These remarks may seem to be expressions of humility, but they are in fact, signs that we are not truly present to receive the blessings that are given. It is not easy for us, busy people, to receive a blessing... to stop, listen, pay attention and receive gracefully what is offered to us.
Henri J.M. Nouwen
Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World, pg 54
Scripture:
17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.
Acts 3:17-21
PRAYER
All-powerful God, help me to recognize your glory in every blessing you have bestowed on me, in all that you have created, and especially in other human beings, no matter what their state or circumstance. When I find myself failing to notice the beauty of a moonlit night, the abundance of harvest fruits and vegetables, the perfection of clouds against a blue sky,slow me down and give me gratitude and reverence for all your gifts. Amen.
LENTEN ACTION
Slowdown today and savor every moment God has given you.
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