Father Michael's Weekly Reflection

"Forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God's upward calling, in Christ Jesus." (Philip.3:13-14)

This is the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Next week is Palm Sunday which marks the beginning of Holy Week.  We often hear the adage, "Time flies."  There's no doubt that as hard as life is sometimes, our struggles will eventually end.  As Pilgrims of Hope, we go forward despite everything and eventually we will look back and realize that our allotted time on this earth has run out.

St. John Paul II said that "It is easy to begin and hard to finish."  Lent forces us to make a decision.  I must make the decision to be holy.  This act of the will is half of the process while the other half is putting the means into place.  Our daily prayer as we renew our decision should be "Lord, with your help I am resolved to do whatever it takes."  

Questions for Reflection: 

• Have I made the decision to be holy? 
• Do I think that this calling is for others but not for myself? 
• Am I convinced about the urgency to live for God alone and not be distracted by the allurements of this world?