If you didn't see this, something to think about
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/03/04/ive-worn-ash-on-my-head-on-espn-for-16-years-this-year-was-different/?utm_term=.cf6f8b221a21
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Thursday, March 2, 2017
No, I did not get ashes.
Ash Wednesday is one of
the most unusual days of my year. “Did you get your ashes?” rings through the
air like the “bells on Christmas day.”
No, I did not get ashes. No, they are not necessary for salvation.
I did celebrate the
beginning of this season that has a rather uniquely male twist (more on that later) with a fresh start with a posture that will insistently mediate my turn toward God. The cleaning lady transformed my home into a
livable space once again; I began acupuncture treatment; I ate a totally decadent chocolate chip cheesecake bar.
It was high time for a
deep clean. It reminded me of the cleaning of the home before Passover. The symbolism in this act is easy for me to
see. In order to lighten my load for the journey, I had to make space in the
clutter and disorganization that has accrued.
turning toward God is nearly impossible when in your pivot you are
literally and figuratively knocking over old containers from take out Chinese
food.
The acupuncture opens the
channels in my being to receive the gifts of the Spirit. Clutter outside; clogging inside. The gunk of
life just slows everything down.
Meditation exercises very often begin with “breathing.” It is tough to breathe when there is no
circulation to meet it.
And that chip cheese bar,
I needed a reminder of how far I have come in my life’s journey. The days of trying to support life on
anti-nourishing food is past. From here
I draw my hope for the future.
My hope for this lent and
the future is to live beyond the clutter of a world that demands we hide behind
the empty spaces of take away events, breathe the life of the Spirit into every
aspect of my being and continue to build upon the goodness I have known as I journey
with the One of Love.
A blessed lent to all as
we each journey to our true hope : the resurrection of the dead and the life of
the world to come.
You surely don’t think much of God’s wonderful goodness or of his patience and willingness to put up with you. Don’t you
know that the reason God is
good to you is because
he wants you to turn to him?
Romans 2:4
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