Focus on your Spiritual Life
2nd Sunday of Lent
“Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.”Ps. 33
Nowadays it is very common for us to live very focused on other people’s lives, wanting to fix everyone’s problems. We believe we have the perfect formulas and advice to solve everyone’s difficulties; however, it is striking that we often have our own life in pieces, needing to apply some of the advice and light that we are ready to offer to our neighbor.
Several sayings reflect this reality: “I sell advice that I do not have for myself.” Or the one that says, “Light in the street and darkness at home.” In other words, we can be very good with others, but not as kind with our own family, who are the ones we should prioritize. This should lead us to a good examination of conscience, to see how we ourselves are doing spiritually.
In reality, only our own life is in our hands, and it is the only one for which God will ask us to give an account. It is true that perhaps He has placed other people in your life, especially your spouse and children, but the time in which you can truly decide for them is very brief. They grow up quickly, and there is little you can do for them afterward, since they already have their own mind and will to govern their life, and they will only be able to draw from the education and values you were able to instill when they depended on you.
We must focus on working on our own sanctification, for our life is the only one we can change directly. But for this, we must truly want it and be willing to make efforts and sacrifices—greater even than those we make to earn degrees or money. It is far more important to perfect your soul, which accompanies you throughout your life, and if you care for it well, it will lead you to eternal happiness in Heaven.
“Seek first the Kingdom of God,” Jesus asks of us, which means love God above all and above everyone; give Him first place in your life, so that you may walk on the path of blessing and of Life. The work of our sanctification is the most worthwhile and the best rewarded, for it brings us true happiness and peace already in this world and forever. In this we count on God’s blessing, for He is the One who encourages and makes this sanctification possible through the grace and powerful action of His Holy Spirit.
How do we work on this spiritual growth? Do not miss opportunities to participate in retreats, to set aside time to pray, to listen to the preaching of the Church by every possible means… make an examination of conscience frequently, go to confession when necessary, and receive the Eucharist as often as possible. This is the principal mission of our life: to live the Kingdom of God—and it is through effort that it is attained. Before us stands Jesus, with Moses and Elijah (the Word of God) to guide and help us.
St. Katharine Drexel | Biography
Born in Philadelphia, St. Katharine Drexel (November 26, 1858 – March 3, 1955), grew up to become one of the first American-born saints. Her mother passed away when she was only five weeks old. Her father, a renowned banker, remarried a wonderful woman, and together they raised St. Katherine Drexel and her two sisters in a life of privilege. Both financially and spiritually well-endowed, the Drexels were devout Catholics and set an excellent example of true Christian servitude with prayer and care for the poor.
After her father’s death, St. Katharine considered joining a contemplative order. However, during an audience with the Pope while on a trip to Rome with her sister, when she asked for more missionaries to be sent to the American West, the Pope asked her to become a missionary herself! Now known as the Apostle for Social Justice, St. Katharine gave up her inheritance and instead devoted her life to the material and spiritual well-being of Black and Native Americans. She established the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored, and together they opened a boarding school in Santa Fe, the first of 50 missions for Native Americans in 16 states. At the time of her death, she had also established a system of 63 schools, including Xavier University in New Orleans, the first Catholic university in the United States for African Americans. Believing that education was the key to opportunity, her love of the Blessed Sacrament sustained her mission.
At 77, she suffered a heart attack and was forced to retire from active ministry. She spent the next 20 years of her life in quiet yet intense prayer. She died at the age of 96 and was canonized in 2000 by Pope John Paul II. St. Katharine Drexel, pray for us!
Readings of the Week
Sunday: Genesis 12:1-4a/Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22/2 Timothy 1:8b-10/Matthew 17:1-9
Monday: Daniel 9:4b-10/Psalm 79:8, 9, 11 and 13/Luke 6:36-38
Tuesday: Isaiah 1:10, 16-20/Psalm 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23/Matthew 23:1-12
Wednesday: Jeremiah 18:18-20/Psalm 31:5-6, 14, 15-16/Matthew 20:17-28
Thursday: Jeremiah 17:5-10/Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6/Luke 16:19-31
Friday: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a/Psalm 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21/Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46
Saturday: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20/Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12/Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Next Sunday: Exodus 17:3-7/Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9/Romans 5:1-2, 5-8/John 4:5-42 or John 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42
Celebrations of the Week
Sunday: 2nd Sunday of Lent
Tuesday: Saint Katharine Drexel, virgin
Wednesday: Saint Casimir
Saturday: Saints Perpetua and Felicity, martyrs
Next Sunday: 3rd Sunday of Lent
