Renewal of Faith

Today is Monday of the Second Week in Lent and by now, like most failed New Year’s Resolutions, quite a few of us have already given in to what we “gave up”. Some of us are worried or ashamed, but the good news is that there is still time to make good on our commitments or even make new commitments. Each day is a new day and each Sunday is a mini Easter, as our priest preaches and teaches. He also teaches that it’s not so much about giving up, but giving – of ourselves – our time, our money and our talents. We should focus on almsgiving, fasting, praying and volunteering. Father’s homily inspired us to increase our tithes and our prayer times.

Whether we have been faithful to our Lenten commitments or not, let’s re-examine them and determine how much more of ourselves we can give. In Luke 6:36-38, Jesus tells the disciples:

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Stop judging and you will not be judged.

Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.

Forgive and you will be forgiven.

Give and gifts and will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down and overflowing will be poured into your lap.

For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

These are simple instructions to live by, right? Yes, if we put our faith and trust in God.