College Chaplain Reflection – March 3, 2016

Lent is a time for us to take stock of who we are as human persons and of how we are called to live. When we considered the Scriptures teaching on Creation last year, we saw that there is a truth to who we are as humans in God’s plan. Inherent in that truth is a vocation, a call to know and love. To know and love God and to know and love those around us.

We as humans have a freedom to accept that call; to embrace that truth of who we are, to live for love. We also have the freedom to reject that call; to choose selfishness, hatred or despair. We do not have the freedom however to change the truth of who we are called to be in God’s sight. I’m free to deceive myself, but not to alter my nature. I can’t escape the reality of who I am called to be.

And herein lies the whole drama of human existence; the search for fulfilment and life. As Christians we say that to embrace the truth of who we are is to attain fullness of life. To reject that truth and to seek our own is to distance ourselves from the source of life, God. In other words; to love is to live fully, to reject love is to reject life. We are free to choose either path.

Whatever path we choose, God will continue to seek us out and will always leave the door open for our return. His mercy is never exhausted. However, God will never force us to love; he leaves us free to make the choice.

If we are honest with ourselves, we will recognise many occasions when we have chosen selfishness over love. Lent is a time for us to reflect over our lives, to take stock of our weakness, to ask for God’s mercy and help and to start afresh with His grace and strength. That grace is always on offer, we only have to ask for it.

A Personal Thanks

On a personal note, my family has been shaken recently by the tragic loss of my nine month old nephew Hugh. A sincere thank you to all who have offered prayers and passed on condolences to the family. We greatly appreciate your support.