Spiritual Stocktaking

Shops have stocktaking, businesses have audits, employees have job reviews, people have medical check-ups and Christians have Lent. For the next 6 weeks, we consider the quality of our life. We take up Jesus’ first challenge: “Repent” – which comes from a Greek word meaning ‘having another think.’ Jesus doesn’t want us to just drift through life, as this so often leads to unhappiness and poor relationships.

There are three areas that are recommended that we check up on. Traditionally, they are called fasting, alms-giving and prayer. What these mean realistically is that we look at personal discipline, compassion for others and our relationship with God. Over the next few weeks, we will explore how we can do a stock-take on each of these areas. But for now, let us just consider what in means to ‘have another think’.

Too often we just make decisions on the basis of what others think or because we react impulsively to a crisis. Rarely do we take a stocktake of

1. the gifts that we have been given by God

2. the demands we need to meet

3. the desires of our heart.

Take some time this week to really ponder each of these areas, even take a pen in hand and write down what comes to mind. Now ask God for inspiration regarding the things on the list. Write down what comes to mind. Now mull over these things in the coming week.

Loving God, we rush, rush, rush through so much of life, not taking time to be with you and with those we love. Give us your Spirit of Wisdom that we may embrace the fullness of life that Jesus wants for us. We ask this in his name confident that you will hear us.

Sr Kym Harris osb