Thursday, March 2, 2023

THE HIDDEN GIFT OF LENT

It has been one week since our foreheads accepted the ashes of a humility that was the chosen garment enfleshing the Savior. We may already have met Him in one circumstance or even in many moments when He hid Himself, the Holy One Who is our Lenten Gift. In the particular difficulty that we faced, He was offering His cloak to us but instead of enshrouding ourselves in it and embracing Him in His proffered gift of humility, maybe we denied Him. Already. As did Peter (Luke 22:24-62).

We may be feeling that we have failed Him.

Sorrow and discouragement lurk.

In this too, He is with us, speaking to us with loving tenderness. We spend time with St. Peter and we listen to St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face who offers us spiritual encouragement in our fog of regret: 

"If you can bear in peace the trial of being displeasing to yourself, you offer a sweet shelter to Jesus... fear not, the poorer you become, the more Jesus will love you...

And suppose God wishes to have you as feeble and powerless as a child? Do you think that would be less worthy in God's eyes? Consent to stumble, or even to fall at every step, to bear your cross feebly. Love your weakness. Your soul will draw more profit from that than if, sustained by grace, you vigorously performed heroic deeds which would fill your soul with self-satisfaction and pride." (St Therese: Story of a Soul)

We join her in bold confidence that the Savior, like Simon of Cyrene, will lift us up again after our fall (Mark 15:21).

"Then my sorrow is not what cuts me off, but becomes rather a bridge to the agony of the Holy One..."

--
Anna Rae-Kelly OCDS
www.annaprae.com


7 comments:

  1. Praise God. With great inspiration, entering now into Second Week of Lent without fog of regret. Thank you, Anna

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  2. Thank you, Anna, for sharing these profound insights. I never cease to learn new ways of seeing the Glory of our God thanks to your work. This is a masterly reflection on the depth and width of Christ’s sacrifice in the Cross. Your words on already haven fallen in my Lenten Journey are prescient and hope filled. May you be blessed abundantly for this work. Our Lady of Carmel, pro nobis.

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  3. Nancy Fairlie, Sydney AUSMarch 4, 2023 at 12:57 PM

    Anna, yes! We go forward in bold confidence with our amazing Little Flower. Thank you for these inspirations. So needed in these times we live in. God bless you my sister in Carmel. Love, Nancy (shared with my Sydney Carmelite community)🌹🌹🌹

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  4. Thank you, Anna. This inspires so many reasons for Lenten prayer and reflection as we continue the journey. Your words bring both comfort and challenge to the soul while giving the practical steps to move forward one foot at a time to try to be worthy of His cloak of humility. And to walk with the great saints as our examples, Peter and Therese, show us there is reason to hope even in these dark times when we have failed Him. Your gift for making us see beyond the "fog of regret" is life-giving and inspiring. May our Lord bless this great work you have undertaken.

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  5. Chère sœur du Carmel, Anna. Merci pour cette réflexion d'une grande profondeur et pour votre amour pour Sainte Thérèse, notre petite fleur du Carmel. Beaucoup d'heures cette semaine pour réfléchir à vos importantes paroles de témoignage. Je prie pour vous, votre ministère et votre zèle pour le Carmel.

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  6. Mariaje RostienivaMarch 8, 2023 at 1:34 PM

    Еще раз спасибо за эти глубокие труды, Анна. Неделя вторая. Вступая в Великий пост в вашей компании, я уверен, что направление моего движения ясно, а путь верен. Вы ведете нас к Сердцу Иисуса, где мы можем по-настоящему познать себя и удалить наши недостатки и грехи, чтобы мы могли быть ближе в единении с Ним. Благословений вам и вашей семье за эту великую работу Любви.

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  7. De dónde sacas tanta sabiduría Anna. Cambia mi vida cada vez que leo tu trabajo y de nuevo hoy. Dios te bendiga querida hermana del Carmelo.

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Thank you and may our tender God continue to bless you with His great Love.
ARK MINISTRIES - www.annaprae.com