{"id":45645,"date":"2014-04-17T08:00:08","date_gmt":"2014-04-17T13:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.austincnm.com\/?p=45645"},"modified":"2014-04-16T21:39:14","modified_gmt":"2014-04-17T02:39:14","slug":"listening-changing-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/2014\/04\/listening-changing-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Listening for the Changing of the Season"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u00a9 Copyright Kenneth Mallard<\/a> and licensed for reuse<\/a> under this Creative Commons Licence<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

If you have followed my blog consistently (Hi Mom) then you may have guessed by now that I am a little obsessed with seasons. For anyone who hasn’t guessed, I am a little<\/a> obsessed<\/a> with<\/a> seasons<\/a>. There is a reason for that, I figured out some time ago that often seasons are the key to growth, life and discernment.<\/p>\n

Contrary to the wishes of just about every single person I know, God doesn’t reveal his plan for us all at once. He reveals it to us little by little over time. He lets His desires slowly grow in our hearts. He lets His blessings emerge gradually. If God is our vine and we are His branches then we have to grow one season at a time. If we cease to allow our hearts to be changed by each new season we will cease to grow. And when a living thing ceases to grow it begins to wither away.<\/p>\n

That is why God is always sending us new seasons. He is always whispering in our hearts new revelations. So we can always continue to grow. If we lived to be the age of Moses and had the faith of Peter we would still have so far to grow. So as long as God keeps whispering we need to keep listening. And with every new season we must listen with an open heart for God to continue to change us.<\/p>\n

Today is Muanday Thursday. A new season, the mystical season of the Triduum, has begun! Are your hearts listening for Gods new plan for you today.<\/p>\n

Lent, the season of preparation and letting go has come to an end. How was your lent? Did you discover some desires were particularly challenging to let go? Did God challenge you in a new and unexpected way? Can you feel yourself growing?<\/p>\n

Easter, the season of resurrection and new life, is almost (but not quite) upon us. What will be your Easter discipline? What in you’re life is crying out for resurrection? Are you ready to die to your old self? Can you feel new fruit budding?<\/p>\n

The Tridumm gives us a great time to take stock of our spiritual journey. How have you grown so far and how is God calling you to grow? I can’t answer these questions for you. This is your personal journey with God. But when searching the heart of Jesus we can never go wrong with contemplating the Gospel. The readings for Muanday Thursday give us a powerful lesson on how to bear new fruit.<\/p>\n

John 13:3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples\u2019 feet<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Don’t try to pretend those versus make any sense. Jesus has become aware of his total omnipotence, and this awareness calls him to an act of absolute humility. Only Jesus would do that. It didn’t make sense to Peter, the rock of the Church. First our rock rejects the idea. Then our rock feels he needs to be washed completely. Finally Jesus must plead with Peter to simply accept the gift. Only by accepting this gift can our rock understand the gift. So, what is there to understand? \u00a0Jesus says it all so very clearly once we are ready to understand.<\/p>\n

John 13:14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another\u2019s feet.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Beautiful! This critical season of the Triduum begins with this simple commandment wash one another’s feet. Your journey through the wilderness is complete. Your journey of rebirth is just beginning. Go now and serve one another and you shall be blessed.<\/p>\n

Now is the time to open your heart and give the lord your undivided attention. Listen for your reincarnation. Listen for your new growth. Listen for how you can serve. My challenge to you on this Auspicious day is to let God shape your life anew.<\/p>\n

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