40 Day Contemplative Lenten Challenge - Friday Fourth Week of Lent

 

“Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; 

he sets himself against our doings,
Reproaches us for transgressions of the law
and charges us with violations of our training.”
Wisdom 2:12 NAB
 

How do we respond when others criticize our behavior? Do we become defensive and self-justifying? When we are in the wrong, are we threatened by what others say? Or rather, do we listen to what they say, mull it over and sift what is truthful and look at our actions using their perspective to evaluate our conduct?  Are we the ones judging others and critical of them because we want to feel superior to them when they are going in the way of good and right acts? Socrates said, “Know Thyself.” Silence and solitude with contemplation helps us know ourselves. We are both a mixture of saint s and sinner s! In Practicing the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence says: “We must carefully examine ourselves to see which virtues we are in most need of and which we find the hardest to acquire. We should also take note of the sins that we most frequently fall into and what occasions contribute to our fall.”  Henri Nouwen writes: “I am not saying there is an easy solution to our ambivalent relationship with God. Solitude is not a solution. It is a direction. The direction is pointed to by the prophet Elijah, who did not find Yahweh in the mighty wind, the earthquake, the fire, but in the still, small voice; this direction, too, is indicated by Jesus, who chose solitude as the place to be with his Father. Every time we enter into solitude we withdraw from our windy, earthquaking, fiery lives and open ourselves to the great encounter. The first thing we often discover in solitude is our own restlessness, our drivenness, and compulsiveness, our urge to act quickly, to make an impact, and to have influence; and often we find it very hard to withstand the temptation to return as quickly as possible to the world of “relevance.” But when we persevere with the help of a gentle discipline, we slowly come to hear the still, small voice and to feel the gentle breeze, and so come to know the Lord of our heart, soul, and mind, the Lord who makes us see who we really are.”
 
So, do you know yourself? Are you aware of your virtues and vices? Spend time in solitude today and contemplate how well you know yourself. We often point out each other’s qualities and shortcomings better than our own. Journaling is a form of prayer, journal your discoveries. Attend the Stations of the Cross today.
 
Lenten Action: If you are a regular practitioner of Contemplative prayer spend your normal time in such prayer.
 
If you are new to meditation and contemplative prayer, read Section 1, pages 6-8 of Practical Instructions for Practicing the Presence of God. Sit for 10 minutes silently. Remain at peace and let go of any intruding wayward thoughts bringing yourself back to the quiet Presence of God in you.   
 
Today should be a Fast day if you are physically able. Everyone should abstain from eating meat today and limit the amount of food one eats. Remember not to watch TV, or use your computer or your phone to access social media, computer games, or other unnecessary apps.