In yesterday’s brief video clip I encouraged us all to remember that Lent is much more about what God is doing than about anything that we do. We usually think of Lent as a time when we try to do more or focus on doing better. This can be helpful, but the broader context is that God is already giving us life, breath, purpose and love. Our decision is whether or not to accept what God is offering.

The first reading from today’s Mass is a great starter for Lent and places our options before us very clearly: will we choose life or death? In fact in every decision, however small, we have the opportunity to choose one or the other.  This might seem like a bit of an exaggeration – every decision being a life or death decision – but try living today with that thought and you will be amazed at how you wake up to the life-giving possibilities of every decision, however small and seemingly insignificant.

This way of living creates a hypersensitivity to the movements of the Holy Spirit within us, and places us in a posture of openness to God’s lead.

If you don’t believe me, try it!  Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you in every moment of the day ahead, and then live every moment and every choice of the day with an expectation that the Holy Spirit is nudging you to choose life.

I guarantee that you will notice a difference in your day that delights you.

“I have set before you life and death,
the blessing and the curse.
Choose life, then,
that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God,
heeding his voice, and holding fast to him.”

Deuteronomy 30.