Saturday, February 13, 2016

Lent: Preparation for Joy

In his essay about Ash Wednesday entitled "Spiritual Medicine" (available here) Thomas Merton wrote:

"It is necessary that at the beginning of this fast, the Lord should show himself to us in his mercy.  The purpose of Lent is not only expiation, to satisfy the divine justice, but above all a preparation to rejoice in his love.  And this preparation consists in receiving the gift of his mercy – a gift which we receive in so far as we open our hearts to it, casting out what cannot remain in the same room with mercy."

As we approach the First Sunday of Lent during this Year of Mercy, let us consider what we need to cast out.  What cannot remain in the same room with mercy?

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