Yesterday was the third day of a heavy downpour of snow in Northern New Mexico affecting the neighboring localities of Chama, Abiquiu, Espanyola, Chimayo and Sta Fe. Despite the snowfall, life needed to go on...monks with assignments to go out of town to run for errands had to keep going. I needed to keep going with my town trip to Sta Fe with Dom Marcus to buy maintenance stocks and attend a hands-on coaching from the great people of Studio-X, Nancy, Kyle and Matt on the launching of the new look of the monastery's website. I needed some hands-on coaching from them on the monastery's giftshop site too, which was also launched with its new look and URL.
On our wayback home, we did the shopping of maintenance stuffs at Lowe's and at Wal-mart.
While Dom Marcus did almost all of the drop-by-at-stores where he needed to pick up lots of stuffs for maintenance, I opted to stay inside the car and did some meditations on the next day's (that's today) event: Ash Wednesday.
While Dom Marcus did almost all of the drop-by-at-stores where he needed to pick up lots of stuffs for maintenance, I opted to stay inside the car and did some meditations on the next day's (that's today) event: Ash Wednesday.
My meditation was focused on experiencing and showing love (since it's the month of love and hearts, too) each day, each moment. I was reflecting that in the Bible, there were four Gospels: Mark, Matthew, Luke and John. Of these Gospels, the Gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke contain such words as "If you want to be my disciple, you must carry your cross." In St Luke's, there was slight difference. There was a word "daily" after "you must carry your cross". That makes the slight difference from the other two Gospels. St Luke's says, "you must follow the Lord. Take up your cross daily, everyday, each day."
On the other hand, the issue of Lent is not only that we are faithful to the Lord periodically. I was deeply thinking while waiting for my great brother Marcus doing the shopping of his maintenance tools and supplies, that tomorrow (that is today) is Ash Wednesday and we need to start re-focusing and re-assuring ourselves of our dependence and commitment to God. I hope that the mark of our commitment will not only on the day of the imposition of ash on our foreheads because Ash Wednesday is only the beginning and not the whole of the Lenten season. And that our commitment to God should not only be fixed on the Lenten season but everyday of our lives. The event of Ash Wednesday is just a reminder for all of us to keep a steadfast heart on our lifelong commitment to God.
Furthermore, you know Valentine's Day. How many roses, chocolates, and gifts were bought because of lovers who wanted to mark the event? But let me stress to you dear friends that expressions of love for our loved ones cannot be, and should not be, limited to wedding anniversaries, and Valentines Days only.
Jesus says, "If you want to be My disciple, you must carry your cross daily." "If you want to show your love, you must show your love each day, everyday." "Each day" is very important phrase. Because it is very easy to love sometimes. It is very easy to love oftentimes. But it is very difficult to love everyday.
Jesus says, "If you want to be My disciple, you must carry your cross daily." "If you want to show your love, you must show your love each day, everyday." "Each day" is very important phrase. Because it is very easy to love sometimes. It is very easy to love oftentimes. But it is very difficult to love everyday.
The call of Lent is to love, follow the Lord and carry the cross each day. Daily.
Then just as I was ending up on my reflections, Dom Marcus was already approaching and hurriedly got in, started the engine, and carefully drove the truck and headed back home to the monastery.
Then just as I was ending up on my reflections, Dom Marcus was already approaching and hurriedly got in, started the engine, and carefully drove the truck and headed back home to the monastery.
No comments:
Post a Comment