LENTEN REFLECTION: Precious Invitations

Today's Readings:

First Reading: Hos 14:2-10 Responsorial Psalm: Ps 81:6C-8A, 8 BC-9, 10-11AB, 14 & 17 Gospel Reading: Mk 12:28-34


Reflection:

The Season of Lent is a time for self- examination, a moment of renewing ourselves, and an invitation to a life of commitment to love God and others more than anything else in this world. Our Gospel for today is inviting us to go beyond our comfort zones, to move out from our shelves of selfishness and to embrace the life of commitment to love God, to follow His commandments, and by that love we immerse ourselves into the hearts of others, to love them as we love God. 
 
It is good that as we are invited to live the commandments of love, we should not forget that the very first law that God reveals to the chosen ones is all about hearing, the shema of Israel (Hear, O Israel!)! In this Season of Lent, we are also invited to hear God’s invitation to love Him and our neighbors as we love ourselves, to examine the way on how we live the Christian values, and to renew ourselves. Hence, this is not about passive hearing, it is a kind of hearing wherein we try to connect everything that is in us, our deeds and thoughts, to the Gospel values. 
 
These precious invitations comprise the very foundation of the Lenten Season, which primarily focuses on deepening our relationship with God (Prayer), disciplining ourselves (Fasting), and sharing to others what we have (Almsgiving). All these things are founded on the commandment of love, and by listening to ourselves we become one with the Church in this Season of Lent.  
 
These are the things that come to my mind when I ponder God’s calls. What about you? Are you ready to hear God’s precious invitations for you today?

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Mark Jay Paña is a Jesuit candidate at the Arvisu House of Jesuit Candidacy, and is currently assigned as a campus minister of the Ateneo Junior High School.