Scripture:
Reflection:
Our Lenten season began with the prophet Joel’s exhortation to “rend your hearts, not your garments.” The challenge to “fast” stares us once again in the face and confronts us.
The children of Israel are indeed performing the outward acts of devotions and prayers to God. However, to the examining eye, their hearts are indeed far from God. The fasts end in quarreling and sunken faces. The outward actions are not drawing them closer to God and to each other. Why? Because they lack pure heart and pure intention.
When I go out to assist at mass, inevitably, people are interested in my vocation story. They ask, “Why did you become a Passionist? Why did you become a priest?” There is also an iteration of “Oh you must be very passion-ate. I say, “I hope so and I hope that passion bleeds through.”
I can say I joined the Passionists because I saw passion-ate Passionists. The Passionist family, the laity and the vowed, were dedicated to their ministries. They preached Christ Crucified and were made themselves present to the People of God, loving them. The Passion of Jesus bled in their hearts and continues.
In a special way this Lenten season, God is calling us to be passionate. Lord, help us to be passionate Passionists! May these pillars of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving come from our heart and bleed through to the ministries and the people we serve.
Fr. Phillip Donlan, CP, is the Associate Director of Ministry at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center, Citrus Heights, California.