The Lenten journey on which we embark today only makes sense in the light of the goal that lies at the end of that road. The call to repentance which we hear in the season of Lent must be shaped by the clear conviction about why we are called to repent—called so that we can fulfill our destiny to be the Father’s own adopted sons and daughters, to be by grace what Jesus is by nature. While it’s accurate to say that we’re made for Heaven, that might seem bland unless we testify to the marvel of what Heaven is: sharing in the life of the Holy Trinity forever.
The announcement that God offers us this happiness, which is so far beyond what we deserve, finds an echo in the hearts of our listeners. It may sound too good to be true, but the goodness of it has its own power to persuade, to persuade one to set out once more on the path of repentance. Our Lenten journey of prayer, penance, and almsgiving must be imbued by the clear truth that our sacrifices here on Earth are a means by which to store up treasures in Heaven—treasures that are incomparably greater than anything we could ever experience here on Earth.
In the 13thchapter of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a “pearl of great price.” When it is found, one sells “all he has” to purchase the field where it is contained. If we miss this context for all of the other truths we’ll consider during Lent, we are like the older brother in the Prodigal Son; we tarry for a taskmaster rather than cooperate with a loving Father.
As you make your plans for Lenten prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, spend 10 minutes in quiet prayer today considering this truth of our relationship with God that St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.”
Archbishop Vigneron will share the 10 truths on Wednesdays and Fridays throughout Lent. Save this article, or connect with @utgdetroit on social media to follow along.
Find the 10 Truths as they’re released here.