By David Runnion

(David Runnion is a parishioner at St. Thomas More in Decatur.)

In concentrating on our Lenten sacrifices, it is sometimes possible to forget that the main thing we are called to do with our lives is to follow Jesus.

King Saul had his priorities wrong even in offering particular sacrifices to God, so that the prophet Samuel had to admonish him that "obedience is better than sacrifice." (1 Sam. 15:22) We, too, have a tendency to forget that the basic call of Jesus is "Come, follow me." Jesus makes it clear in John's gospel that those who really love him are those who obey what he says: "He who obeys the commandments he has from me is the man who loves me … anyone who loves me will be true to my word, and my Father will love him; we will come to him and make our dwelling place with him." (Jn. 14:21-23)

Jesus' Example

Jesus himself set the example of obedience by living fully for his Father. His life affirmed his words: "I do nothing by myself. I say only what the Father has taught me … I always do what pleases Him." (Jn. 8:28-29) Out of that example, he makes the same call to us, to follow him to the cross. "If a man wishes to come after me, he must deny his very self, take up his cross, and follow in my steps. Whoever would preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will preserve it." (Mk. 8:34-35)

The self denial we undertake during Lent is to come not from an attitude of personal accomplishment, but out of the same humble and obedient attitude which Christ had: "Though he was in the form of God … he emptied himself and took the form of a slave … he humbled himself, obediently accepting even death, death on a cross!" (Phil. 2:6-8) Thus, the most important thing we leave behind in following Jesus is the very attitude of living for self.

Since our attitude is to be like Christ's, our cry during Lent should first be like the Psalmist's, "A clean heart create for me, O God" (Ps. 51:12); "to do your will, O my God, is my delight." (Ps. 40:9)

Aid of Holy Spirit

Then, to answer the call to follow Jesus and to continue traveling in his steps, we need the strength that comes from God alone. Through the Holy Spirit, the first gift of Jesus to all who profess him as Lord (Eph. 1:13-14), we are empowered to follow Jesus. (Acts 1:8; cf. 1 Cor. 1:8) For man it is impossible to fully deny ourselves the things of this world, to completely die to self in order to fully live for God. But for God all things are possible. (Mt. 19:26) Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus inspires and perfects our faith that he -- and not we ourselves -- will see through to completion the good work he has begun in us (Heb. 12:2; Phil. 1:6), and that on this journey of faith the Lord has only good things in mind for us. (1 Cor. 2:9; Rom. 8:28)

Practical Steps

When I think about all this in light of my own Lenten practices, at first I am at a loss as to how to respond. I know I must do something different(ly), yet really only the Lord can help me to love and follow him better. On reflection, however, the following practical steps come to mind to help me (re)orient my approach to Lent: 1. To make a decision that I want to fully follow Jesus, and to tell him that; 2. To repent of the attitudes and practices in specific areas of my life that represent a "no" to the Lord's way and will for me; 3. To expressly ask Jesus to be Lord of my life and to give me the strength of his Holy Spirit to help me love and obey him with all my heart, mind, soul and strength; 4. To share my new resolve with someone else in the body of Christ, for their support and encouragement; 5. To concentrate on helping and serving others during this Lent, so as to get my eyes off myself and onto Jesus in my brother and neighbor.

Result of Obedience

Jesus put the importance of obedience pretty clearly when he rejected works done in his name as being the means of salvation and then said: "None of those who cry out 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of God but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven." (Mt. 7:21, 22-29) He set Peter straight by bluntly stating, "Your business is to follow me." (Jn. 21:22) and he just as clearly let it be known that the result of obeying God, of believing in and following Jesus, is eternal life (Jn. 3:16-18; 5:24-25; 12:44-50), true freedom (Jn. 8:31-32), and the approbation of God: "Well done, good and faithful servant. Come, share your master's joy!" (See Mt. 25:21)

While our actions of sacrifice and self-denial are important, even essential, our first priority is the attitude of our hearts behind those actions. Obedience is better than sacrifice. Thus, nothing more important could ever be said of you or me than, "He followed the Lord."