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From Catholics on Call:


Introduction:
In our reflection for Ash Wednesday, we talked about the fact that Lent is "the new beginning," a chance to re-imagine our relationship to God, ourselves, and our world. To go back to the beginning, according to a long-standing tradition in the church, also means that we are invited to revisit the meaning of our Baptism, that sacrament that made us children of God, gave us the gift of God's abundant love, and called us to be Jesus' presence in our world. As we reflect on our Baptism in these six weeks of Lent, we recall some thoughts that Bishop Morneau shared in his talk at the Young Adult Conference about the various ways we are called by our Baptism (1).

(1) see The Art of Discernment, In: Catholics on Call - Discerning a Life of Service in the Church, pg. 64


Reading: Mt 20:25-28
You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Gospel of Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent)


Reflection:
Through Baptism we are called to "maturity." Many times we think a mature person is someone who has "grown up" and "figured it all out." Most of us won't identify with this description. The truth is that we are "growing up," we are growing into who we are called to be, during our entire life. Bishop Morneau describes the call to maturity as "developing an ever deeper sense of our identity and destiny; ... nurturing our ability to care and love; and [being] good stewards of God's gifts." In the Scripture passage from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus describes what it means to be a mature disciple: To be "grown up" in a Christian sense, means to remain "small" and imitate Jesus in his mission of radical service to others. As we discern God's call for us, the important questions to ask when we make our decisions are: "Does this help me to grow in my identity as a disciple of Jesus? Does it give me the opportunity to love? Can I use the gifts God has given me in service for others?"


Questions for Reflection:
What decisions have you made lately? Do they help you to grow and become a mature disciple of Jesus?


Prayer:
Lord Jesus, sometimes I don't make the best decisions. Many times I choose things because they give me an immediate satisfaction or make me live more comfortably. In this season of Lent help me to focus again on my baptismal call and to strive for spiritual growth. Thank you for your radical love for me and all of us, and give me the strength to serve you in my brothers and sisters. Amen.