Wednesday, February 17, is known as Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. On this day, we receive ashes in the form of a cross on our foreheads to remind us that some day our bodies will return to dust. Most people proudly wear this outward sign all day. As we wear our ashes that mark our foreheads, may they be a reminder to us and to those we meet that we belong to Jesus. Ashes are a sign of repentance and sorrow for sin. Folks may ask you why you are wearing that "dirt" on your forehead, but it gives you a good chance to explain why you believe as you do.
People take great pride in jackets, caps and autographs of famous ball players on a popular team, but these items have no spiritual power, as ashes and other sacramentals do. The cross of ashes is a sign of our faith, a reminder of what Jesus did to save us. A sacramental is a sign, such as holy water, ashes, rosaries, medals, crucifixes, which brings great blessings and protection to those who believe. These are not superstitions. St Teresa of Avila said, "The devil flies from a drop of holy water!" It is a good practice to sign each other with holy water - keeps evil away. Parents need all the help they can get in raising their children in a world which has little use for God. I have great respect for parents raising children in today's world. You parents are going to have a high place in heaven.
Why does the Church want to remind us of death? It is because we are not going to live forever. This life is so short, compared to eternity. Death is not a sad, sorrowful thought; rather, it is a joyful reminder that we are all going to our true home with God someday. The following is an epitaph carved on a tombstone found in the 17th century:
As you are now,
So once was I.
Where I am now,
Some day you'll lie.
Some joker read it and carved the following verse beneath it:
To follow you,
I'm not content
Until I know
Which way you went.
In this holy season, let's us ask our Blessed Lord to lead us to true joy...the Lord's "joy."
"My Joy I give to you as the world cannot give." (John 16:24) These were the parting words of Jesus on the night before He died. So how does "joy" relate to Lent? It may be that we need to change the way we look at life. If we do not have a sense of joy, or perhaps realize that we are actually miserable, what can we do?
It is one thing to say that I believe in Christ and go to Church and receive Holy Communion, but it is something far beyond this to understand how this changes my life. Do we really believe and trust God that He wants our happiness and peace of mind? Ask God what He wants you to do for Lent which will bring you closer to the joy He promised. It may be that you have stopped spending "quality time" with Him alone. He may call you to greater patience with those who get on your nerves or to control your anger. If fasting from "sweets" or some other food leads you to a deeper walk with God, then that is for you. As children, we fasted from candy during Lent and I think it taught us self-control. The devil hates Lent because he knows so many are going to get closer to God - don't make him happy. Trust in God that He is leading you to the joy we all want and need.
Following Christ as a Christian is the most exciting life in the world. Be proud that He has called you to follow Him. There will always be the cross in our lives, but those who do not follow Christ have crosses too, except they don't ask Jesus to help them. If only they knew what they are missing. Maybe God is calling you to help someone get closer to Christ this Lent. Whatever He wants you to do, He will tell you, if only you ask. Think ahead to the Resurrection, when all pain and insecurity will be gone. The joys of heaven are unspeakable and definitely worth waiting for. At just the right time, God will call us home to never-ending happiness and joy. Christians know where they're going, as long as they follow the directions.
The Catholic Church asks its members to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and on all other Fridays in Lent. This is such a small sacrifice compared to what Jesus did for us. Friday was the day Jesus died, so that is why we are asked to do this for Him on Fridays. Some Christians do not eat any meat at all during Lent. Helping the poor is another way of keeping joyful during Lent - either by giving of our time or material goods. Don't let a day go by without doing something you would rather not do (without complaining or whining.) This keeps us from getting selfish and it makes one feel good, too.
"Your joy no man can take from you!" (John 16:22)
Have joy-filled Lent,
Sister Francelle
So once was I.
Where I am now,
Some day you'll lie.
Some joker read it and carved the following verse beneath it:
To follow you,
I'm not content
Until I know
Which way you went.
In this holy season, let's us ask our Blessed Lord to lead us to true joy...the Lord's "joy."
"My Joy I give to you as the world cannot give." (John 16:24) These were the parting words of Jesus on the night before He died. So how does "joy" relate to Lent? It may be that we need to change the way we look at life. If we do not have a sense of joy, or perhaps realize that we are actually miserable, what can we do?
It is one thing to say that I believe in Christ and go to Church and receive Holy Communion, but it is something far beyond this to understand how this changes my life. Do we really believe and trust God that He wants our happiness and peace of mind? Ask God what He wants you to do for Lent which will bring you closer to the joy He promised. It may be that you have stopped spending "quality time" with Him alone. He may call you to greater patience with those who get on your nerves or to control your anger. If fasting from "sweets" or some other food leads you to a deeper walk with God, then that is for you. As children, we fasted from candy during Lent and I think it taught us self-control. The devil hates Lent because he knows so many are going to get closer to God - don't make him happy. Trust in God that He is leading you to the joy we all want and need.
Following Christ as a Christian is the most exciting life in the world. Be proud that He has called you to follow Him. There will always be the cross in our lives, but those who do not follow Christ have crosses too, except they don't ask Jesus to help them. If only they knew what they are missing. Maybe God is calling you to help someone get closer to Christ this Lent. Whatever He wants you to do, He will tell you, if only you ask. Think ahead to the Resurrection, when all pain and insecurity will be gone. The joys of heaven are unspeakable and definitely worth waiting for. At just the right time, God will call us home to never-ending happiness and joy. Christians know where they're going, as long as they follow the directions.
The Catholic Church asks its members to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and on all other Fridays in Lent. This is such a small sacrifice compared to what Jesus did for us. Friday was the day Jesus died, so that is why we are asked to do this for Him on Fridays. Some Christians do not eat any meat at all during Lent. Helping the poor is another way of keeping joyful during Lent - either by giving of our time or material goods. Don't let a day go by without doing something you would rather not do (without complaining or whining.) This keeps us from getting selfish and it makes one feel good, too.
"Your joy no man can take from you!" (John 16:22)
Have joy-filled Lent,
Sister Francelle
1 comment:
"Lent-A Time of Joy" by Sr. Francelle is such a beautiful way to think about the things we can do to prepare for the death of Our Lord, and then the ultimate joy of His Resurection.
Thank you for giving us joyful food for thought during these days of Lent.
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