Grant, almighty God, through the yearly observances of holy Lent, that we may grow in understanding of the riches hidden in Christ and by worthy conduct pursue their effects. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
the yearly observance of holy Lent – Focus in on the phrase “holy Lent.” Do we think about Lent as being holy? We might think of it as penitential or challenging or perhaps even gloomy, but do we realize that it is a holy season? In Scripture, the word “holy” means to be set apart. If someone is holy, he or she is set apart, consecrated for God, made His special vessel and instrument whom He can use for His purposes. Lent is designed to make us more holy, more set apart, more open to God's will and to the purposes God has for our lives.
grow in understanding of the riches hidden in Christ – Oh the riches hidden in Christ! They are innumerable, infinite, beyond the reach of our human minds. Yet we can begin to grasp some aspects of those riches by meditating on them. When we do, we discover love beyond all telling, wisdom, beauty, truth, goodness, all the virtues we can possibly think of and then some. Let us ask our Lord during this Lenten season to reveal more of His riches to us, even to shower us with them, that we may know Him better and love Him ever more deeply.
by worthy conduct pursue their effects – Of course, the more we know about the riches hidden in our Lord, the more that knowledge, spurred by grace, should change our lives. In imitation of Him, we should become more loving; more desirous for wisdom; more beautiful in our thoughts, words, and deeds; more committed to truth; more guided by goodness; and more intent upon virtue. We should chase after the riches of Christ that they may enrich us and help us become more and more like Him.
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