Lent, Day Nine, First Thursday of Lent

Lent, Day Nine, First Thursday of Lent
Self-Transformation

Jesus...told people not to be guided by the behavior of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus came among us as an equal, a brother....

 You will not be able to meet Jesus in your body while your body remains full of doubts and fears. Jesus came to free you from those bonds and so create in you a space where you can be with him...

Do not despair, thinking that you cannot change yourself after so many years. Simply enter into the presence of Jesus as you are and ask him to give you a fearless heart where he can be with you. You cannot make yourself different. Jesus came to give you a new heart, a new spirit, a new mind, and a new body. Let him transform you by his love...

Henri J.M. Nouwen
The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey Through Anguish to Freedom, pg 18

Scripture:

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Romans 8:28-32

 

PRAYER
Creator God, let me recognize in myself the pride and false piety of one who will not admit of the imperfections of being human. Temper my doubts and fears, restore my commitment to your ways.Keep before me your promise of a new heart and a new spirit; prompt me along the path to this transformation in love and conformation to your image. Amen. 

 LENTEN ACTION
This Lent keep in mind Martin Buber's observation that "God dwells wherever humans let him in." Take time today to be alone and be aware of the movement of the Holy Spirit within you.