Now is the time when things really get serious during the Lenten season. Now is when those sacrifices, prayers, and works of charity begin to become a chore or a burden. Now is when we really start to be tempted because the evil one wants to prevent us from celebrating the Easter mysteries in the state of grace.
So now is the time to fortify our hearts, to rededicated ourselves to our Lenten promises, and to embrace the cross of Christ all the more. Do not get discouraged as the world tries to steer us off path, and as the devil himself tries to knock us down from the rightful place that we occupy near our Lord. Last night as I went to bed, I read this passage from 1 Peter 5:8-9a: "Stay sober and alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, solid in your faith."
