Ignatian Reflections

11 March 2019 «

Written by David Paternostro S.J. | Mar 11, 2019 4:00:00 AM

11 March 2019

Monday of the First Week of Lent

We have a new standard of goodness to abide by. God commands the Israelites “Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy” (Lev. 19:2). We are children of God, and so there should be a certain family resemblance between us and the Father. When someone thinks of us, they should be reminded of God. When someone thinks of our holiness, they should be reminded of God’s holiness.

This is a far cry from how we might normally examine our lives: I have not hurt anyone, I have not been too bad, too mean, etc. But this is not the standard God wants for His people. God made us in His image. He knows what we are capable of, and the greatness that we can live up to. It is time to go beyond the old standards of goodness.

This is the grace of Lent—a time when we go beyond the old, worldly standards, and live up to a higher, heavenly standard. Lent is a time for new standards. We do without things we are used to, we take on new spiritual practices, and we examine our lives to root out sin. As you examine yourself this Lent, do not simply ask “how have I failed in goodness?” Ask “how have I failed to remind others of God?”

  March 11th, 2019