Deacon Greg Kolbinger writes:
As my faith journey really became something I actively was working on and really paying attention too, the idea of temperance seemed to be the most difficult to grasp. I wanted it all and I wanted it my way with no need to sacrifice pleasure or my immediate needs to become closer to God and those I loved and cared for.
Over time, with a great spiritual director and prayer, it slowly became apparent to me that my thinking needed to change. As I realized that the times when God was sending me what I thought were interruptions and detours to how I wanted to proceed, were actually grace filled moments of encounter with the Christ present in my brothers and sisters, the light finally dawned.
When you’re thinking or beliefs are challenged, or you find yourself falling flat time and time again, ask and ponder in quiet time for yourself:
What am I really chasing after here?
Do I want it all to revolve around my needs and desires or could I possibly try a new way of moving forward—where the others in my life are seen as deserving of my time and attention just as my needs are?
Discipline and sacrifice for others takes on a whole new meaning when really understanding and praying for the grace to treat others as I wish to be treated.
Reading plan:
Monday, February 6 – Friday, February 10 – Temperance
Monday, February 13 – Friday, February 17 - Justice