Our Journey Toward Salvation

03-06-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Arul Doss

Dear Friends,

From Ash Wednesday, we have begun the season of Lent. Lent is a favorable time for personal and community renewal, as it leads us to the paschal mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It a special time of God’s love and forgiveness. It is also a special journey for purification and enlightenment for every Christian as each person needs cleansing and healing.

On this first Sunday of Lent, the first reading begins with a very brief account from Moses about how God delivered His chosen people Israel from bondage in the land of Egypt. Therefore, this reminds us of our own salvific journey. This Lenten season, we are on a journey to our salvation, and the hope of this salvation must sustain us throughout this season and beyond.

The second reading presents another dimension to this journey towards salvation. It presents faith as a necessary tool which must be manifested through our confessions. Without faith, it will be practically impossible to reach our destination. Faith in this case is the energy that motivates us as we march on. If along this journey this season, we become weary, turning to Jesus is the best option available to us. If we call upon Him in faith, we shall find the strength to continue. We cannot prevail in this journey by our own strength alone.

This season therefore, we are to be mindful of the fact that temptations abound, just as our Lord was tempted today by the devil in our gospel. It is important to note that the tempter is always looking for a point of contact or weakness. This was why, once he realized that Christ was very hungry, he felt it was an opportunity to use Him. However, the good news is that the devil was wrong, because Christ did not give him the chance to use Him. Hence, the devil cannot succeed with us too if we do not open avenues for him in our lives.
We must not give the devil any chance this season and in our entire life time. Therefore, let us close all the avenues in the course of this journey by wearing the sign: “Road Closed or No Vacancy Here!” The avenues that must be closely guarded this season as the temptation of Christ teaches us include: The avenues of hunger and thirst for sin, the avenue of cheap popularity, vain glory, pride, and selfishness. These are obstacles to our spiritual growth, victory, and of course, to our salvation.

Finally, trusting in the arm of our own flesh will not help us this season. We must allow the Holy Spirit to be in charge by being docile to Him. Confession is a best spiritual pile that heals our soul. So, I request you to go for a good confession. Our Arcadia deanery arranging a special day for confession. If our regular confession timing doesn’t work for you, please give me a call for confession.

Have a great Sunday.