Saturday of 3 Lent

Confess

“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…” —Romans 12:4-6

We are called to rejoice in hope, be filled with the joy of the Lord, and to practice humility and patience. We have been called to the exercise of the virtue of excellence. And we have not always done well in this calling. When things do not go as we hoped and when our patience is tried, it is easy to get frustrated and angry. That is our self-seeking desire rearing its ugly head.  We want these obstacles to disappear. We want to retaliate against these threats to our will. And left unchecked, we begin to live outside the moment attempting to take control of the situation.

During this year of tribulation we have all been called upon to make sacrifices. We have each  been faced with a variety of difficulties. And sadly, many who profess the Name of Christ, have rebelled against these limits on our freedom in Christ, and have sought to force our will upon the situation and upon others around us. Annoyance at the contrariness of things has led to cynicism and grumbling. God is not in favor of His children grumbling (Exodus 16:1-12; John 6:43; 1 Cor. 10:10; Jude 16).

So, let us pause and reflect on the virtues we have examined this week. And let us ask God for the grace to lay down our will, and to forgive our grumbling hearts. Let us seek the God who loves us with unquenchable love, and ask for renewed joy and hope, the patience to persevere, the humility to accept our place in His renewed Jerusalem, and the gift of His glory and excellence.

O God of Glory, forgive us for our impatience and doubt, our despair and grumbling hearts, and grant us the true grace of your love, that we may know the joy of your salvation, and the hope of glory in Your Son Jesus Christ. May we know You and the power of Your Spirit working in and through us for the building up of Your Church, the rebuilding of Your Temple in the image of Christ. Help us, by Your grace to live in the moment and to see You at work in our lives and in the lives of those around us. And may You receive all of the praise both now and forevermore.  Amen.