Ash Wednesday

So, another blog---yup.

Briefly: I have told myself that I am going to write a post each day of Lent to help me reflect on this season and also to share bits and pieces about our faith. I don't claim to know much--you won't find this theologically insightful. But I hope the Spirit works through me somehow to help someone out there in the blogosphere. The format: Scripture of the day, brief reflection, and a song. Thanks for reading!!


LET'S BEGIN

 'But now -- declares Yahweh- come back to me with all your heart, fasting, weeping, mourning.' Tear your hearts and not your clothes, and come back to Yahweh your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in faithful love, and he relents about inflicting disaster.

JOEL 2: 12-13

Giving up something for Lent? Let me tell you a little secret: that's not what God wants. He doesn't want to munch on those cookies you've left behind or feast on that steak you've given up.

He wants you.

I'm not saying giving up things for Lent is a bad thing. But if the giving up of XYZ is not helping you render your heart to Him, then He doesn't want it. So, instead of quitting Coke or chocolate, why not take up praying the rosary for the next 40 days, or going to daily mass--or, GOING TO MASS EVERY SUNDAY OF LENT. Because, if you're not even going to mass on Sundays, giving up Twitter is not going to help you get closer to God. I'm not being judgmental--I am just passing on the message... HE WANTS YOU. With all your brokenness and dirtiness and unworthiness---He wants you. I'm telling you because I know by experience.

Tear your heart, not your garments = I want your conversion, not outward demonstrations. 

So come to him with a contrite heart and let Him love you like no one's ever loved you before. He can make you whole again, He can clean you up and heal your wounded heart. He shed every single drop of his blood to save you, and if  His passion, death, and resurrection would only save YOU and nobody else---He would have still done it. Simply for love.

He wants you. Come back to him.