Father Randy Koenigsknecht
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As Lent begins, Father reflects on death, judgment, and the temptation toward mediocrity in the spiritual life. Instead of aiming to “just get by,” we are called to wholehearted discipleship and the abundant life Christ promises.
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Last week, Deacon Dave spoke so passionately about a topic that can sometimes make us uncomfortable: death—specifically our own death, and the moment when we will stand before the Lord. It is a theme that has continued to stay on my mind as I reflect on his words. This week, I also worked on finalizing my own funeral plans for the diocese to have on file. It is not the most enjoyable task—choosing the readings, deciding who will do what—but it is an important one.
It lines up well with the readings for this week as we approach Lent, which begins on Wednesday. It is a fitting time for reflection. Oftentimes, when we think about judgment—about meeting the Lord—we imagine it as a dramatic moment, a nerve-wracking reveal: Did I make it? Did I not? What happened? We might even say things like, “I just want to make it to purgatory,” or “I just want to slide in before the door closes,” or “I just need to be good enough—God will understand.”
But neither of those attitudes is what we are truly called to have. Beneath those thoughts is often mediocrity or half-heartedness. We may want to follow the Lord and receive the benefits, but we hesitate when it comes to embracing the implications of discipleship—the change required of us, the sacrifices that may be asked.
Yet the degree to which we give our hearts is the degree to which we will find true satisfaction.
We may taste a bit of joy, a bit of peace in life with God, but it will never be full unless we are willing to give everything. God desires abundant life for us. He wants us to know joy, to experience His peace, and to recognize His presence even in the midst of storms and suffering.
That is why Jesus came. As He says in the Gospel of John, “I came that they might have life and have it in abundance.”
We are not meant to settle for a mediocre life filled with half-commitments. We are called to a life that is full—a life that inspires others, even if it is only those immediately around us.