Take My Hand

We are leaning into the final steps of our Lenten Journey with Jesus. It's about to get much harder. The Readings are challenging and there will likely be more temptations, more distractions, and more worries trying to lure us away from the commitments that we made one month ago. We've got taxes and tariffs and tornadoes on our minds. Try to break away from the heaviness looming over the world and turn back to the sweet sound of silence where our hearts connect with the Lord.

Walking the steps to Calvary with Jesus and His mother Mary is heartwrenching disciple work all on its own. Add in the bombardment of natural and unnatural disasters and it might make us want to bow out early, saying I've done what I could, but it just feels like too much. I'm overwhelmed and overworked, and frankly, I'm over the whole Lent thing. It can seem easier to just lie down and let the darkness take over. We have to be careful because doubt can pour in like flood waters and knock us off our foundation.

But, we are Disciples of Jesus Christ. So we stand with Him and we lift our weary brothers and sisters to stand, too. Following Him is not easy work. We are the reason He carried the Cross, and we have been asked to carry our crosses with Him. Imagine being on the side of the road observing the scene. Are you Simon? Are you Veronica? Are you hiding? Are you afraid? Do you wish you were far away, oblivious to it all?

See Jesus stagger under the weight of the wood.

He stops to catch his breath and looks you in the eye. He says, "I love you," and He reaches out.

"Take my hand," he says. "I will be with you all the way. It's worth all of this pain and suffering. YOU are worth it all. Come, follow me."

He waits for us to respond. It feels impossible to accept His offer of suffering for our sins. And it feels impossible to walk away. Do you respond with humility... fear... generosity... denial... righteousness... indifference? It matters not how we respond or whether we even respond at all. He will continue His path out of love for us.

I remember hearing someone say long ago, that when life feels darkest, that is when we are closest to Him because we are in His shadow. We need His Light more than ever, now. Life feels dark and confusing for so many people. We can lie down and quit trying, or we can take His hand, stand with Him, and make these final two weeks the time of our deepest change and growth to be more like God made us to be and calls us to be.

He still has work to do in us these final two weeks of Lent.

We can continue up that rocky hill to the Truth of our Salvation. He suffered and died for us. We are saved by His actions and His most generous gift of Mercy. If you haven't already done so, now is an optimal time to go to Confession, unburden yourself of your sins, and receive His Mercy and Forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. You will feel renewed, reinvigorated, and completely loved.

As we enter the Passiontide and prepare to celebrate Palm Sunday and then Holy Week, take a moment to review where your heart was when we began the Season of Lent. In what ways has the Holy Spirit stirred your heart to give alms, pray, and fast? What is still waiting for your response? Regardless of what stage in life you are living, what personal trial you are facing, what size bucket of resources you have, or what skills and talents you possess, you still have something to contribute to making this world a better place.

Take His Hand,

Open Your Heart, Worry & Complain Less, Trust & Accept More.

Ask, Receive, Repent

Seek, Find, Release

Knock, Open, Renew

He is waiting for us!