CCM seeks to serve the Catholic students of Washington College in Chestertown, MD. Our goal is to assist and support members in their exploration of the Catholic faith through liturgy, fellowship, and close partnership with Sacred Heart Parish. With the parish, we also provide means for the students of the college to practice their faith and participate in various community outreach programs throughout the year. All of our activities are open to all members of the college and community regardless of their religion. Check back frequently for updates on events!

Sunday, March 17, 2013

40 Thoughts: Day 28

So let's say for the sake of argument that we will spend the 12 last days of Lent learning to love Jesus by knowing him.

How in the world are we supposed to know him? He's the king of the universe, he's all mighty, he's infinite and incomprehensible. He's too much for us to understand.

He's God! He's all mighty. He's Wonderful Counselor. He's the Prince of Peace! He's too much.

If that's what you're thinking, you're right. So he became human for us. He went through our struggles so we could learn to know him and to know his love and compassion for us by understanding his human life on earth.

But if he is so wonderful and infinite and mighty and powerful and we don't know him, how do we begin? Do we start by studying his life story or his miracles? Do we memorize his parables? Do we learn to quote Revelations backwards and forwards at the drop of a hat?

That just sounds like homework though. That sounds like something you do and forget a week later. Studies have shown that we don't learn things by memorizing them, we learn by reminding ourselves of them, making them a habit.

So we have to remind ourselves of the parables and the Gospel and the miracles and the New Testament and all of that will teach us about who God is.

And how do we do that?

Yes, read the Bible. But it's more than that. Knowing the story of the blind man is just telling a story. Understanding it and how it affects us is more important. Ask yourself not what happened in the story, but what it means and what it teaches you about Jesus.

Now ask yourself what Jesus' actions in your own life teach you about Jesus. Think about Jesus' actions. Have questions? Ask him your questions. Confused? Ask him for clarity. We're not dealing with a dead guy or a god of iron or gold here. We're dealing with the very much alive Jesus and Father and Holy Spirit.

So now you're sitting around thinking about Jesus, asking God questions, and wondering how much further you can go with this whole "getting to know God" scheme.

You're meditating. You're praying. Maybe you're fasting. Maybe you're thinking about giving up some TV time or Facebook time to get to know Jesus a little better. Maybe you're thinking about reading some of the Good News to get to know Jesus better. Maybe you're falling in love with him.

Welcome to Lent
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