Most Israelites expected that the Messiah would be a mighty warrior king who would defeat all their enemies and restore the earthly kingdom of Israel to the Jewish people. The image of a tiny helpless baby who was born into poverty would not exactly fit the mold, but the Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon that this child was indeed the "a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel." (Luke 2:32)
During Lent, spend some time reflecting on your expectations of God. Do you expect Him to "fix" your problems or those of others? Are you angry or discouraged if your prayers aren't answered the way you want them to be? Do you think of God as a driving taskmaster, a lenient Father who overlooks your faults, or a distant and vague authority figure? Pray to the Holy Spirit to lead you in your search for God and be open to finding Him in unexpected people, places or events.
Note: If you're praying the Novena to St. Joseph, today is Day 2. Here's a link to the novena prayer.
2 comments:
Since your blog arrives a day late I missed the first day of the Novena to St. Joseph. But I'm off and running with it anyway. Thanks.
I'm sorry you got the word about the novena a day late. I'm not sure when the blog entries get emailed out, but sometimes I don't write them until the end of the day.
In any case, it doesn't matter when you begin the novena. Although it's nice to finish a novena on a saint's feast day, your prayers won't be any less effective if they end the day after or even the week after. It's the devotion and prayers that truly matter, not the day on the calendar.
I understand how you feel about trying to get a devotion just right. I used to get all concerned about the "technicalities" of the First Fridays devotion because I wanted to receive all the blessings and benefits. Through prayer and meditation, I realized that it's not about checking off nine specific dates on the calendar but that I maintain a continual devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, of which going to Mass on First Fridays was just a part.
God bless!
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