40 Day Contemplative Lenten Challenge - Monday Fourth Week of Lent

But as for me, I will look to the Lord,
I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me!
Michah 7:7 (NRSV)

The Paschal Mystery (the passion, death, resurrection of Jesus the Christ) is not an April fool’s day joke, it really happened. Our Contemplative Lenten journey is an attempt to immerse ourselves in silence of the desert for 40 days. Jesus went to the desert because He needed silence and solitude. How much time have you carved out for silence and solitude to create space for intimacy with God? 
 
In talking about the Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence says we are to make our hearts a spiritual temple. Spiritual temples ARE Holy places. Do you think you can’t be holy? If holiness is something you believe is not possible for you, you would be wrong. YOU can be holy! Moses was a murderer and yet he is a saint. Peter denied Jesus three times in public, and yet he is a saint. Every saint is a sinner just like you. So how do you become a saint? Here is a quote by Henri Nouwen, on just that subject: “Every time you make free time for God, you clear up a bit of the descending path, and you see where you can plant your feet on the way to love. Nothing spectacular or sensational. It may be simply a matter of what you say, what you read, to whom you speak, where you go on a free afternoon, or how you regard yourself and other people. What’s fascinating is that the first step invariably makes the second one easier. You begin to discover that love begets love, and step-by-step you move further forward on the way to God. Gradually, you shed your misgivings about the way of love; you see that “in love there is no room for fear,” and you feel yourself drawn to descend deeper and deeper on the way that Jesus walked before you.”
 
Slowly we move closer to God and realize He loves us more than we can imagine. We then can intentionally create holy moments [1] and do what one prayerfully believes God is calling one to do in that moment; things such as helping a sick neighbor, offering a ride, checking on a neighbor and the list is endless when you start listening and watching for the moments to do all for the love of God. Practicing the Presence of God nourishes the soul; consequently virtues such as faith, hope and love grow. As we wait in silence, our God will hear us. With little steps, we can be holy as our Father in heaven is holy!
Today, look for situations where God is calling you to create holy moments. Meditate about how you might create holy moments.
 
Lenten Action: If you are a regular practitioner of Contemplative prayer spend your normal time in such prayer.
 
If you are new to spending time in silent prayer, sit comfortably in a quiet place, and ask God to be with you and help you silence your thoughts. Remain at peace and let go of any intruding wayward thoughts.

Today is not a Fast day, but if you have a mind to abstain from a favorite food or drink, please do so as a means of strengthening your will power. Remember not to watch TV, or use your computer or your phone to access social media, computer games, or other unnecessary apps.

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