Photos, sometimes with Commentary, from a lay Catholic.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Rend Your Hearts, Not Your Garments, and Return to Me

Rend Your Hearts, Not Your Garments, and Return to Me

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent today, Feb 17, 2010.

This is a flower pic, taken a couple years ago, which I've converted to this black and white image. Just as I have stripped away the color from this image, during this season of Lent, we now strip away ourselves to find more of the genuine, and less of the facades. We quiet those external noises that drown out the voice of our Creator. We gladly make sacrifices because we find our truer selves in so doing. And we turn our hearts toward God and others. This is the way we were meant to be. This is how we were designed.

We are not perfect, but there is beauty in our imperfection. We are not whole, but He can make up what is lacking.

Like the tulip above, we are open, and ready.

"Here I am, Lord. Your servant is listening."

As I woke today, I thought of St. Paul. He had many reasons to feel secure in his relationship with God. Born a Jew, circumcised on the eighth day, years of zealous (overzealous?) service within his tradition... But his worldly standing did not grant him access to the One he desired. All that effort to be good and holy... fell short. Paul tells us that knowing Jesus was worth more than all of his public position and standing. Paul's relationship with Jesus was the thing he valued most. St. Paul is a credible witness. Knowing all that he knows, he tells the Philippians (3:8-10), "I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ...being found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, based on law, but that which is through faith in Christ...that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that if possible, I may attain the resurrection form the dead."

We fast during Lent because it gives us great joy to be joined with Jesus in his own selflessness. While it may cause us temporary pain or difficulty, our eyes are looking toward the prize, the goal. That is, we are looking toward Jesus, himself. Our faith sustains us when He seems quiet. This is why, as Catholics, we are pleased to embrace small (or great) sufferings for we know that they are good teachers. We are not afraid of hardship. Our sacrifices teach us to be patient, and to wait in faith.

One more thing about St. Paul is that he leaves the outcome of his soul with Jesus. "...that if possible, I may attain the resurrection from the dead." He doesn't boast that it is his. If he boasts at all, he boasts only in his trust, in his relationship, in his faith in Jesus.

So many times it is difficult to trust. When He seems quiet, or we feel distant. That is when we must call on the virtue of patience, and rely on His timing. God is not a genie to be called forth from some shiny lamp. He is God. We must be his patient servants.

God bless any of you who stop to read these words. Those of you who observe Lent and those of you who do not. We are all His creatures.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

You sure post some beautiful photos!

God bless you, Ron

Andrea said...

urgent prayer request and prayer button on arise 2 write.
andrea

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your recent comments on my blog.
Your comments are always welcome.

Have a wonderful weekend.
God bless you and your family,

Mr. and Mrs. Geezer

Anything Fits A Naked Man said...

What a thoughtful, beautiful post! I love the connection of the flower to being open to what God has in store for you each day!

Paul is such a tremendous example of a dedicated, enthusiastic servant, isn't he? I try to be more like him in my journey!

Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting on my blog! So glad you did, now I'm your newest follower! Cheers!

Victor S E Moubarak said...

Thoughtful and inspiring. Thanx.

God bless.

Victor S E Moubarak said...

Thank you for visiting my Blog and helping a charity. Please encourage others to do so.

God bless you.

the eternal optimist said...

What a beautiful blog! What a wonderful time of year. God bless.

breadgirl said...

Good Morning Marylea
This is a very beautiful and thought-provoking post. I have read back over some of your recent posts and I think they are beautiful. Thank you and God bless you.

the mother of this lot said...

I agree with your other commenters. What a beautiful post!