40 DAYS JOURNEY WITH THE LORD.
Monday of the 4th Week of Lent, March 28 2022
Moderated by Fr Justin Nzekwe
DAILY CHALLENGE: Visit the Blessed Sacrament.
DAILY THEME: Do something for Jesus
THINK ABOUT THIS: Many times we want to gain everything from Jesus. Have you forgotten that your salvation was worn on the cross? If so, what have you to offer to Jesus. Paul offered his weakness, sufferings, persecutions and even his life all for the sake of the gospel. You are not exempt, you can also do something for Jesus. You can offer your sufferings, persecutions, addictions, worldly desires for Jesus and for your salvation. It is when you suffer with him that you can rise into a new life with him on Easter.
Bible Reading – 2 Cor. 11:12-33
And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.
I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast. You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face. To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that! Whatever anyone else dares to boast about —I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more.
I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.
PRAY WITH ME
Lord, I know that you died on the cross for my sake and for my salvation. Sorry for those times I betrayed you with my sins and ingratitude. I therefore offer you my sufferings, persecutions, my sicknesses, heartbreak, Lenten observances and all those hard times. I wish to exchange them for the salvation which your cross bought for us.
Help me to live my life no longer of myself but for you who died on the cross for my sake. Let me have a sincere repentance for my sins.
Let your Holy Spirit accompany me on this journey to make it fruitful in my life.
(Say this prayer as many times as you can, today)
Our Father…….
Hail Mary…….
Glory Be……
Psalm 23:6 (3X)
Psalm 118:17 (3X)
TOMORROW’S CHALLENGE: Stations of the cross, confession
***If you are interested in this spiritual journey, please let me know. Ask questions, tell me your challenges through your comments and never give up should you miss any day. God bless you. ***
***You may decide to accompany this journey with shorter fast, or by avoiding bad habits. And then daily Rosary****
