The promise of Lent and grace of Eastertide

Supper at Emmaus by Caravaggio (Getty)

Supper at Emmaus by Caravaggio (Getty)

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The one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

As the end of Lent nears, we see how far we have come. And we see how far we have to go to become the holy children of God he created us to become.

God began a good work in us on Ash Wednesday, and inspired us to launch out into the deep of many unknowns. The unknown of our capacity to make the change he inspired in us. The unknown of our perseverance and the strength of our expectant faith.

The Grace of Eastertide

What is not unknown now is that new sureness inside us that we are growing spiritually. Whatever the outcome of our Lenten resolutions, something in our spirit is urging us on to continue to coöperate with the grace poured out on us during these 40 days and abounding even more during Eastertide.

Perhaps it is the grace to continue with a new devotion, more consistent prayer time, additional time spent pursuing spiritual wisdom or before the Blessed Sacrament. It could be a new appreciation of a food or activity we denied ourselves that we will always enjoy more because of our sacrifice this Lent. Awareness of a weakness we hadn’t recognized before can bring us the resolve to coöperate with God in strengthening our faith that, with the help of the Lord, we will be victorious.

Growing up in the Lord

We are growing up in the Lord! Let us now look forward to Eastertide and all the beauty, glory and new life springing up around us. And praise God for the beauty, glory and new life budding around us and in our soul.

The one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

What good work that God began in you during Lent will you continue after Easter?

(© 2013 revised 2017 Nancy H C Ward)

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Nancy Ward

Nancy Ward writes about conversion, Christian community, and Catholicism. After earning a journalism degree, she worked for the Diocese of Dallas newspaper and the Archbishop Sheen Center for Evangelization, then began her own editing service. She’s a regular contributor to CatholicMom.com, SpiritualDirection.com, CatholicWritersGuild.com, NewEvangelizers.com and a contributing author to The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion. Now, through her Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story: Tools, Tips, and Testimonies workshops, retreats, book, and DVD, she shares her conversion story at Catholic parishes and conferences, equipping others to share their own stories.

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1 Response

  1. This year is a Joyful Lent for me as well

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