During the angelus of the first Sunday of Lent (which focused on the temptations of Jesus), Pope Francis reminded the church that Lent is also a moment of encountering the “wild beasts and angels” like Jesus Christ. I believe it is also a constant theme for our Lenten journey which ought to create moments of awareness in our lives about our struggles with prayer, fasting or penance and helping other persons, physically and spiritually; It is a theme to inspire in each believer a healthier sense of guilt from sin in their relationship with God and neighbor, and also pursue a greater power of transformation and likeness to God, in mercy and perfection (Lk. 6:36; Mt. 5:48).
The “wild beasts” herein referred to might include obstacles to prayer, fasting or penance and charity such as: negative self-talk arising from past hurts, procrastination of agendas with God and neighbor, spiritual polygamy which avoids sincere interactions with neighbor, the giant and hero in gossiping and rumor mongering, loneliness and selfishness in and out of time, self-pity, the negative usage of power and authority for self-glory, loss of a sense of responsibility towards oneself, family (wife, husband and children) and God Himself. The most threatening “wild beast” is found in the power of worry, money, anxiety, fear and loss of confidence in God’s love, mercy and forgiveness.
At different moments of life, the Lenten season is exposing the believer to these obstacles in their lives like the psalmist would say, “my sin is always before me…. (Ps 51:3)” and I believe that, without any prejudice, this is what fundamentally constitutes our human life as Pilgrims in the journey of Faith, love and hope in Jesus Christ. These are the reasons for us to grow in the power of obedience, chastity and poverty in God during this path of Lent 2024.
Whereas encountering the wild beasts of our lives in the desert is common place, confronting them is not a piece of cake. To this favor, I would like to suggest the following spiritual companions to accompany us while we encounter the Lord on this Lenten path before it concludes:
The Holy Mass – Endeavor to attend, listen, watch or celebrate Mass daily with a conscious disposition to the grace of God in your life. At all costs, be sure to present your prayer agenda to God at any Mass and especially the Sunday Mass, receive Holy Communion if you are well disposed or make an act of spiritual communion or an act of adoration to the Lord if you don’t receive His Body and Blood according to the right disposition outlined by the Church.
Pray the three (3) powerful and essential Psalms – while you may read or listen and meditate on the word of God at Mass, find a way to tap the power and grace entailed in these three psalms – Psalms 51 to obtain the grace of renewal, strength and forgiveness; Psalm 25 to obtain the grace of trust and protection in the power of God in our lives and, Psalm 23 to obtain the grace of greater abundance in the Lord and in Life.
Invoke your personal saints and angels about any of your matters in life’s challenges during this lent. Do not forget St. Joseph whose name means “God will increase”, the Blessed Virgin Mary whose intercession reveals God’s grace in each one’s life, St. Anthony of Padua who restores us from our wildness and the three archangels – Michael for your defence and protection against evil and harm, Raphael for your healing and Gabriel for your joy at all the good news you desire and deserve.
Finally, K.I.S.S! While you constantly go for confession, practice how to K.I.S.S. By this I mean, endeavor to “Keep It Super Simple”. In everything about you, that is, your prayer, your fasting, your penance and your almsgiving – Keep It Super Simple for the Lord is simple and yet incomprehensible and powerful,
The Divine Mercy of the Lord is always present in our midst to support us. trust in him always as you also pray in these words:
Eternal God in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon me and increase your mercy in me, that in difficult moments, I might not despail nor become despondent, but with great confidence, submit myself to your Holy Will, which is Love and Mercy
itself (adapted from St. Faustinaś prayer to the Divine Mercy).
I believe that these, spiritual companions, will encourage you along this pilgrimage of lent (2024) should you choose to welcome them in your life.
The family that prays together, Stays together!
In Holy Cross,
Author – Fr. Joe CSC
Last modified: March 26, 2024
