Daily reflection _ cultivate mindfulness in your life

CULTIVATE MINDFULNESS IN YOUR LIFE
It is thankfulness that comes from a greater awareness of life in and around us; the joys and sorrows that are part of our daily living.  
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
Today in the Gospel of John we read these words: "Whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God" (Jn. 3:21).
We often read in the Bible about God's people back then - and for us now - and their need to be reminded of God's love. We are urged to be grateful for our heavenly Father Who is always with us. To cultivate mindfulness is to cultivate gratitude in our lives. It is not only gratitude for the good things or the times when life is easy and comfortable.  Rather, it is thankfulness that comes from a greater awareness of life in and around us; the joys and sorrows that are part of our daily living.
This Fourth Sunday of Lent is known as Laetare Sunday! "Laetare"is the Latin word meaning "joy." All the Scripture readings for this Sunday speak of the importance of choices and their consequences. God gave the Israelites a chance to heed the messages of the prophets but they "scoffed" at them, and so Jerusalem went up in flames. As it frequently does, the Gospel offers a choice between believing in Jesus Christ and living forever, or by doing what those who "preferred darkness to light" did by not believing and therefore facing eternal death. In today's Second Reading from St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians, Paul offers alternatives when he proclaims, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God" (Eph. 2:8). Today's Responsorial Psalm confirms this as well: "Let me never forget You, Lord! For it is Your will to be done in me" (cf. Ps. 137:6ab).
Rebbe Nachman wrote these words, "I believe that I can return, no matter how far I've strayed. I believe that I have the inner strength to change. I believe that I can become truly devoted and close to God."
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son" (Jn. 3:16). In our prayers may we see the faith that brings us to eternal life.
During this Lenten journey let us consider a way to cultivate mindfulness in our lives; preferring the light which will come by making the right choices!