Reflection for the week of February 11, 2018…….Ash Wednesday, February 14, 2018

by Sister Dorothy Rolf, ND
In Sunday’s Gospel, Mark 1:4, a leper came to Jesus and begged, “If you wish you can make me clean.”  Jesus said, “I do will it.  Be made clean.”  This seems to be the appropriate spirit for entering the season of Lent. Each Lent provides us opportunities to be made clean and healed.  But often we ask how?
In the Book of Joel 2:12, we get the answer:  “Even now says the Lord, “return to me with your whole heart, rend your heart not your garments.”  And we ask “how”?   Jesus gives us the answer (Matthew   6:1-6, 16-18)   pray, fast and give alms.
    
Jesus recommends “prayer in secret, fasting (deny self) to train our wills to do the will of God, and give alms by reaching out to those in need.  In doing this we  rend our heart in letting go of the negative, the judgments, the pride, the selfishness, whatever it is gets in the way of loving God and our neighbor.
In opening our hearts to God and others, surprisingly, we will be healed.
During Lent daily take some times to PAUSE throughout your day to get in touch with yourself and God.  Pauses work wonders!    So pause to do the following:

• To remember the presence of God in the Moment
• To recall how you are denying self
• To tell God what your heart desires  

                                         Blessings on your Lent