Lent is for “leveling up”

40 Shades of Lent by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Thursday in the Fourth Week of Lent, 14 March 2024
Exodus 32:7-14     <'[[[[[>< + ><]]]]]'>     John 5:31-47

So true, 
O God our Father, 
that we are like your people 
in the desert 
– “stiff-necked” – 
who easily turned away from you 
to worship the golden calf 
while you conversed with Moses 
up on Mt. Sinai.

We can be easily 
carried away 
and distracted 
by the many other “golden calves” 
around us that we worship 
especially if they give us
delight and answers
to our needs 
and questions.

Forgive us, Father,
in doubting your love for us, 
in doubting your fidelity 
to your promises to us, 
in doubting your powers 
despite the many blessings 
you have showered upon us;
forgive us for our foolishness
for not being convinced that
we are your chosen people 
when we would rather get trapped 
with our daily worries in life
and forget all your
love and concern for us.

What a tragedy
when we prefer to be 
second or even third rate people 
when in fact we are all your children, 
your beloved and forgiven children!

In this Season of Lent,
help us to "level up" 
to you, O Lord, 
of not simply stopping
with the prophets who 
were all like a “burning and shining lamp” 
to us when they were all 
your precursors.

Help us, 
O Lord, 
to desire you 
and nothing less 
for we are all special 
in your eyes. 
Amen.