Where do you find yourself this week?
Palm Sunday has passed; we are moving through Holy Week, on to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and then …. Easter.
I need to remember a few things today and I want to share those with you.
First, don’t rush too quickly from Good Friday to Easter Morning. I firmly believe each day has something to teach us and we need to pay attention.
Second, don’t let the busyness of the week distract you from what is most important.
I saw this quote from the Philokalia this past week,
“Fasts and vigils, the study of Scripture, renouncing possessions and everything worldly are not in themselves perfection … they are its tools…. It is useless, therefore, to boast of our fasting, vigils, poverty, and reading of Scripture when we have not achieved the love of God and our fellow men. Whoever has achieved love has God within themselves and … [is] always with God.” Philokalia (Vol. 1)
Do you think someone can get so involved in church activities this week, that the activities become the most important thing? Can these activities obscure God’s presence?
For me, the answer is yes. I can get so focused on doing this or that activity right that I forget why?
So, take a breath, maybe slow down a little, and think about Jesus’ call to love God and our neighbor and ourselves.
And maybe think how that love was manifested by Jesus and can be manifested again by us.