ORDINARY TIME
As we move back into the second phase of Ordinary Time, a far from ordinary event in the life of the Church, a time to grow in our faith lives away from the big moments of Christmas and Easter, following are some suggestions from Deacon Mike Bickerstaff of The Integrated Catholic Life website on means at our disposal to continue growing deeper in our relationship with the Holy Trinity:
Surrender to Christ – There is nothing we can do to be saved or to progress in the spiritual life except by Christ. Begin each new day by surrendering yourself to Him and His Will. Replace the habit of pride with the practice of humility, trusting in the Lord.
Enter into and Remain in a State of Grace – We can make no progress in the spiritual life if we are not in a state of sanctifying grace. Those who believed and were baptized were freed of sin and its eternal punishment, justified by Christ’s grace and said to be in a state of sanctifying grace. If they have not knowingly and freely committed a mortal sin, they remain so. If you are not in a state of sanctifying grace, you need to be. If you are not baptized, seek to be baptized in the Catholic Church. If you are baptized, but have committed a mortal sin, that sin needs to be confessed in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Develop a daily prayer habit – If we love someone, we desire to be with that person. The same is true if we love God. Prayer is how we spend time with God. Commit to pray daily prayers of Adoration, Petition, Intercession, Thanksgiving and Praise. Devotionals, such as the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet and liturgies, such as the Divine Office, are great practices to assist you.
Meditate on the Sunday Mass Readings – Take time each week to prayerfully read and think about the coming Sunday’s Mass readings; what they mean and how they apply to your life.
Be Christ to Others – Jesus Christ came not to be served, but to serve. He calls His followers to do the same. We cannot claim to follow Christ if we do not serve those people He places in our daily lives. Service always requires us to be Christ to those around us, but we are also called to serve those we do not easily recognize. In what way can you help others? Who can you serve? Take these questions to daily prayer and ask Jesus to show you those in need for whom you can make a difference. Then get on with the Lord’s good work. I hope some of these will find a way into your daily faith life.
God bless
Fr. Jim
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