Schedule Time with Jesus

During Lent, we look not only to fast, pray and give alms, we also look to change our lives for the better. It’s too easy to look at this as a “project”, a task that we set out for ourselves to work on, but in this case, our goal is to be like Jesus, and that’s not something we can do on our own. We need Jesus to help us by showing us what he is like. We need time with him. But how?

If Jesus were bodily here with us, we would schedule regular meetings with him: we’d set a time each day to get together, he’d talk to us and we’d listen, we would ask questions, we might even take notes. We’d see and hear what he is like, and learn to be more like him. But because he’s not with us in the usual bodily way, we don’t think this is possible.

But why not? Try this: set some time in your daily schedule to be with Jesus. Go to a private place with a minimum of distractions and interruptions. Take with you a copy of the Gospels (the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the New Testament). Read from them about Jesus. Read what he does, what he says, what happens to him. Put yourself into the story with Jesus, and invite him into your story, into your life. Learn what he is like from the pages of the Gospel. Talk to him, ask questions, listen to what he puts on your heart. Then commit to remember what you have learned about him: you could take notes in a journal, for example. A meeting like this is not impossible, it’s something that almost anyone can do if they wish.

How much time to spend? 1% of your time is about 15 minutes a day. That’s perhaps not too hard to squeeze into even a busy schedule. More time is OK too, but it is better to put in a small amount of time regularly than a big chunk of time only once in a while. When? Pick a time where it is most likely you can do it faithfully, when you’re less likely to be interrupted or have your schedule rewritten by the unpredictability of your day. Each day is a new day: if you miss one day, don’t worry, just start afresh the next day. Spend your time with Jesus regularly and you will learn what he is like. With his help, you will become more like him. If you are not doing this yet, why not start this Lent? Jesus awaits you today, and he is well worth your time.