We have been using Bilbo Baggins of Hobbit fame for our Lenten preparation. I hope these reflections have caused you to search a little deeper than past years.

Our weeks of Lenten practices have been preparing us for celebrating the great feast of Easter; the great gift and mystery of our redemption made present, re-presented in and through the Paschal Mystery (the passion, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus). The Catechism tells us, “As often as the sacrifice of the Cross by which Christ our Pasch has been sacrificed is celebrated on the altar, the work of our redemption is carried out.” (CCC #1364)

Salvation is not just a once in a life time occurrence. The “Paschal Mystery is a real event that occurred in our history” at an actual time and place. “It is unique from all other historical events. Other historical events happen once, pass away, and are swallowed up in the past.” But “the Paschal Mystery of Christ cannot remain only in the past. Because by his death he destroyed death and all that Christ is, did, and suffered for all men participates in the divine eternity and so transcends all times while being made present in them all.” (CCC #1085)

Once saved always saved falls short of the truth that God provides us every moment of our day opportunities to join our lives to His work of redemption. Our “works” are to be actions of love. We are to love God; therefore, our lives are to reflect His love. This reflection manifests itself in doing good works. When we participate in the Mass, the actual means for our salvation, the tools Jesus used and uses to redeem us are made available for us to re-participate in. What are those tools? His passion, death, and resurrection. Scripture tells us that it is through His stripes that we are healed.

Holy Week is the holiest of all weeks and we should be intentional in our preparations for the renewal of our baptismal promises and living out the work of redemption anew that is quickly approaching. We do this by being ever more attentive to the word of God and prayer. The message running throughout the Scripture is a call to a life of Gospel conversion. Gospel conversion begins anew by fasting, prayer, almsgiving, forgiveness, repenting of our hardness of heart and indifference to those around us, loving our enemies, and taking seriously our call to holiness with rooting out our bad habits and vices.

God is seeking to remove the obstacles in the way of our salvation, but our cooperation is key. St. Augustine said, “He who created you without your consent will not save you without your consent.” Do we rely on God or on our own resources? Don’t let your faith become flabby, feeble, and fragile. As we approach the Sacred Triduum on Thursday, put your trust in the Holy Eucharist. Put your trust in the Cross and tomb with Jesus. Put your trust in the Empty Tomb for He has risen; He has truly risen.

For Reflection:
Lent was a time to replace vices with virtues. What steps will I take to ensure the virtues continue throughout the year? “Whoever loses his life will find it” (Lk 9:24). Do I seek to lose my life, uniting it to Jesus at every Mass I partake in? Do I cooperate with Jesus and give Him consent in working out my salvation together? Lent offered me time to reflect on my life and to convert. Am I using these remaining days as a time for Easter prepping?

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, please help me to fully and actively participate in every Mass as if it was my first Mass, my last Mass, or my only Mass. Renew me in the Paschal Mystery and fill me with Easter joy.

(blogged April 16, 2025)
Subscribe to my newsletter!