We have entered the most holy days of the liturgical year, the Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.  As I look back on the past weeks of Lent I see a lot of personal misses and also a number of "gems" which Our Lord has pointed out to me.  I have been reminded that holiness is found in the mundane: fidelity to our vocation, our commitments, our day. Some of the nuggets that have stuck with me are "do the next right thing" (Matthew Kelly, Dynamic Catholic) and "our God is a God of second chances" (Father Robert Barron, Lent Reflections).

The close of Lent should not be seen as an end to penance and sacrifice, but rather as an opportunity to look forward, to see what it was in these past days that needed to change, not for a while, but for good.  

Over the coming weeks I will be sharing excerpts from "The Imitation of Christ".  Written in the 15th Century, it contains timeless advice and admonitions for the spiritual life.  Read each day's selection slowly.  Let it percolate in your heart, challenging you to strive for the holiness God desires for you.  There are no "bench warmers" on the road to sanctity.

When our days on this earth are complete, may we be blessed with hearing: "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master." (Mt 25:21).

I will be praying for you,

Melissa

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis
Book One

Imitating Christ and Despising All Vanities on Earth

He who follows Me, walks not in darkness,” says the Lord. John 8:12. By these words of Christ we are advised to imitate His life and habits, if we wish to be truly enlightened and free from all blindness of heart. Let our chief effort, therefore, be to study the life of Jesus Christ.