Fr. Eric Nicolai preached this meditation at Lyncroft Centre in Toronto, on March 4, 2023. 

During Lent our goal is that of St. Paul:  "I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me." (Gal 2, 20).

This identification with Christ has 4 steps in a staircase towards Christ Jesus. The first step in this staircase is the most superficial one: Corporal mortification. The next step in the staircase is the care of little things. The third step is interior mortification. Finally the most difficult step, number 4, is passive mortification.

Music: Chiquinha Gonzaga composer, Lua Branca (Guitar Bert Alink) 

Thumbnail: First Temptation of Christ. Stained glass possibly from the collegiate church of Saint-Etienne. London, Victoria and Albert Museum, C. 1907-1919.

For more meditations, check my channel:

https://www.youtube.com/c/EricNicolai/videos