Second Monday of Ordinary Time

As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.

As Christians we are called to bring a balance of celebration and sacrifice into our lives. We celebrate the Mass, the Eucharist, and the other sacraments, but we also sacrifice ourselves as well. We give up our time, talents, and treasures to our faith. We sacrifice time to go to Mass. We offer up our talents on the same altar as the Eucharist. We also abstain and fast during Lent as we await the joy of Easter. We are both a celebratory and sacrificial people.

How do we celebrate our faith in a meaningful way during the week? In what ways do we sacrifice for it? Do we have a balance between the two or are we all one and none of the other?

O Lord, grant us balanced hearts full of joy and willing to sacrifice.

Amen.