2018 Lenten Journey – Guaranteed

Centering Prayer: A Prayer by St. Anselm of Canterbury

Teach me to seek you, and reveal yourself to me as I seek;

for unless you instruct me I cannot seek you,

and unless you reveal yourself I cannot find you.

Let me seek you in desiring you; let me desire you in seeking you.

Let me find you in loving you; let me love you in finding you.

For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.  For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”) –in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

Reflection:  We live in a world of broken and empty promises. People constantly break promises to each other, employers break promises with employees, and nations break promises made with other nations. In a world of so many broken and empty promises, God’s promises can be trusted; they are guaranteed! Saving faith is deeper than believing “in God.” Saving faith believes God and the promises God makes through Christ to love and sustain us in this life and in the promised eternal life to come (Romans 8:31-39).

• Do you believe “in God” or do you believe God? What difference does that make when you face trials, setbacks, disappointments, sorrow, and pain in life?
• What do you own that has a guarantee? Are you confident that your guarantee will be honored if you present a rightful claim for it? Do you have as much confidence in God’s guarantees to you? List three guarantees you can claim from God?

• For the grace to “believe God.”

Jesus, may all that is you flow into me.

May your body and blood be my food and drink.

May your passion and death be my strength and life.

Jesus, with you by my side, enough has been given.

May the shelter I seek be the shadow of your cross.

Let me not run from the love which you offer,

But hold me safe from the forces of evil.

On each of my dyings shed your light and your love.

Keep calling to me until that day comes, when with your saints,

I may praise you forever. Amen.