Our Holy Father Leo, Pope of Rome (461)
Read
Jude 1-10; Luke 22:39-42; 22:45-23:1
“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42 ESV)
With these words, Christ reveals to us two very important aspects of prayer. First, our prayer is an opening of our heart, sharing with our Lord our struggles, needs, temptations, and gratefulness. It can be fearful to verbalise these things in prayer, but in verbalizing, we open the hidden depths of our hearts to Him.
Second, we must always be open to the Lord’s will in our lives. By revealing the hidden depths of our hearts, we stand before the Lord as we are: unmasked with no facade to hide behind. In surrendering to Him, we invite and depend on His active presence in our lives, including our openness and desire to fulfil His will.
This Lenten season, may we offer our Lord all our gratitude, temptations, struggles, and needs. May we open our hearts and allow Him in so that He may be our support as we discern His will for our lives and, in turn, live it.