In the second of a Lenten Series of reflections, Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Novice Sister Cecilia Joy shares her Lenten sacrifice.
“It might seem strange, but for Lent this year, I am going to choose joy”…“I think that is terrific!” This was a conversation I had with a priest a few days before Ash Wednesday. One would think that with a name like Sister Cecilia Joy, being joyful would be extremely easy. Yet, we all have our good days and bad days. The trick is to see Jesus working through it all. He does not expect us to be happy all of the time. Though, He does want us to turn to Him in whatever we experience. The fact that He is always with us, helping us and comforting us is a source of deep and lasting joy.
It reads in Hebrews “Through him [then] let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15).” How can praise be a sacrifice? Can I speak to Jesus from the depths of my heart in prayer, and then praise Him in some small form of gratitude?
