Lent is a time to make an agreement with the Lord

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 1st Week : Saturday*

*Gospel : Mt 5:43-48*

*First Reading : Dt 26:16-19*

*Lent is a time to make an agreement with the Lord*

*1) Today you are making this agreement with the LORD*

These are the words we have in the first reading of the day 

These words are spoken by Moses to the People of Israel, about the agreement that they were enetring with the Lord 

So Mosses is telling the People what they are supposed to do after entering into the agreement

*2) Main aspects of the Agreement*

These are following important things which will be binding to the people of Israel after they made an agreement with the Lord 

*A) God, will be their Master*

This is the first implication of the agreement. They need to accept God as their master 

*B) They are to walk in His ways*

Walking in the Lords ways means, Listening to the Lord, and doing Good. 

Do good and avoid evil. This is God's Way  

*C) They are to observe his statutes, commandments and decrees,*

Once the agreement is done, they are supposed to follow the statutues, commandments and the decrees of the Lord. 

An agreement becomes useless, when these above things are not followed

*D) They are to hear His voice*

One of the important things. Need to hear the voice of the Lord, to know what is right and what is wrong 

By listening one learns a lot 

*3) Lent is a time to Renew the agreement*

All those who are followers of Jesus, have already entered into the agreement

So, lent is a Special time to renew this agreement, for our betterment

So while renewing the agreement, we need to pay attention to the following this 

We need to accept the Lord as our Master 

We need to follow His commandments

We need to walk in the Lords ways 

We need to hear the voice of the Lord in everything

We need to respect the statutes and the decrees of the Lord 

*4) How is My agreement with The Lord?*

Have I broken the agreement with the Lord? 

Has it become very weak because of my negligence? 

What is my commitment to this agreement with the Lord? 

Is it necessary to renew the agreement with the Lord? 

*5) Important aspects during Lent to Renew in the agreement*

Change of heart and mind 

Faithfulness to prayers and devotions

Service to the needy - Generosity and almsgiving

Fasting from various addictions in our life

Am I ready to renew the agreement with the Lord, according to the Mind of the Lord??

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*