By Caitlyn Hagarty, Kryslynn Klimes and Nicole Rose
We are fast approaching the end of our Lenten journey. The fifth Sunday of Lent gives us a glimpse of what is to come not only in Easter, but also for the rest of our lives. Dust and ashes mark us as we attempt to die to ourselves. In our suffering and in our sacrifices, we discard the worldly materials that hold us back from a life and relationship with God.
The concept of dying to self is pretty common throughout Lent. We heard about it on Ash Wednesday, and have been wrought with the concept of death ever since.
Another common idea through the readings is that Jesus is the Lord, and without him we would not have life. This is an extremely profound statement, and it is repeated many times throughout the readings. Maybe that’s because the message doesn’t immediately sink in. We are nothing without Christ. We have life because of him, and he gives us EVERLASTING life. So often we catch ourselves living like we are going through life alone. “I depend on myself to get tasks done; I depend on myself to make me happy.” Because of this we get frustrated with life. What we forget is that we cannot do anything in this life alone. As the readings remind us, God says to us, “I will put my spirit in you that you may live.” We should ask ourselves: Are we really living if we do not have God in our lives and think we are dependent of him?
God tells us, “I have promised, and I will do it.” He will put his spirit in us if we just ask. God will not abandon us. Today, we challenge you to take a step back and smile as you remember that life-changing promise made by the God of the universe. If we can believe anything, we can believe that God will keep his promises, especially one that will ultimately bring us closer to him.
As we draw nearer to the end of our Lenten journey, take some time to meditate on the resurrection and new life God has promised us. “Lord Jesus Christ, you have ransomed us with your blood and restored us to life with the Father in heaven. May your resurrection be our hope as we long for the day when we will see you face to face in glory” (Prayer from www.dailyscripture.net).
(Caitlyn Hagarty, Kryslynn Klimes and Nicole Rose are members of the Newman Catholic Student Center at the University of Iowa, where Caitlyn and Nicole are juniors and Kryslynn is a sophomore.)
