4th Weekend into Lent

This week has been a success. And today's readings and reflections mimic the positive week we've had. Hos 6:1-6; Lk 18:9-14. God loves me for me. Problems, weaknesses, sins, and all. He loves me and forgives me, which is something I have a hard time doing --forgiving myself and others. I shall take God's lead and not be afraid to show and admit my weaknesses and ask for God's help often.

Pilate, yet again, declares Jesus an innocent man in today's readings. He shows Jesus to the crowd in hopes they will have compassion for Him and set him free. Not a chance. This crowd is hungry to crucify Jesus Christ. I'm trying to put myself in their shoes. What would I have done? Would I have stood up for Jesus, being a free man? Would I have jumped on the bandwagon and blended in with the crowd? It's a very hard question. We know what it feels like today with peer pressures. Just imagine back then?

If this weekend is any inkling on how the rest of Lent will go, it may just be a success. We have accomplished so much this weekend. Great feats. Firsts (again) for Mom. Days like these make it easy to be upbeat, and a follower of Christ. It's when everything falls down that tests our faith.

A woman in our Choir just lost her Father. I can not even imagine how she is feeling right now. The best thing any of us can do is offer our prayers, our love, our support and remember that no matter how bad we think we have it, there is always someone else who is suffering just as much if not more.

Another reading from today shows how Samuel made a visit....and he ultimately chose the 'runt' of the family to follow him and do his work. He chose David, who wound up being one of Jesus' strongest followers through time. Jesus does not look at our outside, or how good looking we are. He looks inside at our hearts. He knows we are not perfect and still loves us. The challenge is for US to look at ourselves and love us for not being perfect, for being weak or 'the runt' of the family sometimes. We must never lose hope in God. We must also become more faith-filled, and less blind in order to follow God's lead.

Please help me, in the week ahead, forgive myself and those around me for any weaknesses or shortcomings.