Ash Wednesday, 2011

Snow blankets the frozen ground on Ash Wednesday

A scripture reading I was led to this day:
"This, rather is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them and not turning your back on your own." Isaiah 58: 6-7

In fasting today, I had breakfast and then fasted throughout the day until after Mass and receiving ashes. Then I had dinner and didn't follow my fast any further than that. I essentially pigged out for most of the evening after dinner.
In seeking the Lord, I find that His version of fasting is different than I have been thinking, although I do think most people consider fasting to mean refraining from eating. The Lord's version of fasting, however, at least according to Isaiah is to do good deeds and help those in need.
My thoughts also turn this day to a conflict I am having with a fellow parishioner. We are having a disagreement regarding our web site. I do agree with her that we need guidelines for the site but it was how she presented it to me that is bothering me. She had been given a private revelation about something and I posted it on the site, which I should not have done. However, her reasoning was that because the private revelation might not stand up to ecclesiastical scrutiny, we should take it down and I agree. But then, she said that we could share the private revelation among members of our group and I am having a problem with that attitude.
I don't know if it is because she called me on the first posting or because it feels like we are sneaking around the Bishop and the authority of the Church. So, I need guidance with that, my Lord and King. What would you have me do, in true charitable fashion as You would handle the situation?

My sweet child,

It is good to have you back again in this medium. I truly delight in using your hands to spread my word. We must be ever more vigilant about it, though. So often, people looking for some type of inspiration or guidance may come seeking the wisdom I have for you and if you do not post it according to my will and schedule, it may not be here in time to benefit them. I know this has always been your problem...that is taking the time to post regularly, but please do try to post regularly. The discipline you are undertaking with the Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, my Mother will help you with this, I hope. I, too, will help you as you continue to strive to daily work for me.

As for your other concern of this day, rest assured it is already handled. When you give to me each day and then trust that I have accepted your life, the things you have already done in this matter are what I would do, indeed are what I have done to remedy the situation. The particular ministry you have accepted, that of web site administrator is one you gave me before you even began. I will deal with issues you are concerned about. Trust me...I love you and am helping you in this ministry. Be not afraid of what may come, because I am with you in all. Go in peace, my sweet one. I love you.

Ash Wednesday, 2009

Lent Begins
Today is Ash Wednesday and it is a day devoted to fasting and abstinence from meat. The focus of my parish priest's homily was fasting and I realized that I do not know how to fast.
My country and my culture are so driven by instantaneous gratification that we have no real concept of fasting.
Many people in many countries practice fasting, as Father explained tonight. And coupled with prayer, it becomes a powerful tool for drawing nearer to You, my God and my Friend.
Even though traditional fasting is a fasting from food, Father laid out numerous other alternatives to fasting from food.
For many years I have tried to not watch television and have failed miserably. So when Father suggested fasting from television for one hour and spending that time in prayer or reading something of you, my heart leapt because I knew it was an answer to "how do I fast?"
I also know I need to give up sweets and to fast on each of the Wednesdays and Fridays of Lent. This time that I am spending with you now is something that I have tried to do for several years and it helps me to focus on you rather than on myself, so although it is not a fasting, it gives me courage to go on and I thank you for the grace to do so. I will also try to donate some food to the food bank each week.
I hope I am following your will for me, Lord, as I attempt this Lenten journey with you. We have journeyed together before during this season and for many of those journeys, I know I have disappointed you.
On one, however, I remember being filled with such joy on Easter after successfully completing my Lenten obligation to you. I wish to be filled again with such joy as was unimaginable to me prior to experiencing it. It was the words of the Psalm in today's Mass readings that filled me with joy because I recognized Your voice in them and knew those words were for me.
Please be with me as we take this journey, Lord, and please let me give to You what you require from me even as I ask you for much needed graces to complete the journey.

My Child--
It is so nice to hear from you again. It has been quite some time since you have taken the time to be with Me in this manner. I so delight in your obedience in coming to Me and listening to what I ask of you. I will give you all the graces you need to complete the journey. Indeed, those graces have always been given to you. You have not always used what has been given to you and have turned from Me then, in disappointment and guilt over your failures.
Do not fear and do not feel guilt. I have saved you from that burden and there is no need for you to pick it up again. It is your choice as to whether or not you will use the graces granted you for this journey. I hope you choose to use them so that we might share the journey. I so desire to share it with you and also to grant you the accompanying joy that will be yours upon completion of the journey. I delight to give you all good things. Be not afraid.
Go in peace. I love you.

Love in a Sunset

The Love of God expressed in a Sunset

"I love you, Lord, my strength." --Psalm 18

The Psalm responsorial for today's Mass jumped out at me during my daily prayers. Father's homily about finding God's love in a sunset or a neighbor were particularly apt as well.
The photo was taken last night after Mass--I went on Saturday--and it seemed to me like an exclamation point to Father's homily.
God's love for us is all around us--truly it is in all aspects of nature that I love so well, in addition to being found in the people I love and cherish.
What is a little more difficult for me to grasp, but as true as his love in things which please me, is that his love is made manifest in people I don't love and cherish. I really need to work on seeing God in all things and people, especially people that I am not particularly fond of.
So, my dear Lord, my friend, my savior--I ask you this day to make me more open to seeing your love in all people and things and circumstances of my life. I have so many blessings to be thankful for and I do thank you for them. Please remind me when I am feeling less charitable than I am now that I need to see you in that grouchy man or woman who may need to experience you in me as much as I need to see you in them.
Also my dear friend, please bless Father John today and in the coming days as he faces a particularly daunting challenge in his life. He is a kind and loving person and I know you love him and are in him. Please help him through this difficult time that he may come through this challenge stronger and better able to love you and the people causing him such grief.
Thank you Lord for Jade. She has been an inspiration to me this past week and I suspect you brought us together for a reason. Help me to find that reason and to act according to your will regarding her. She is blessed by you, I can see that, and I admire that so much.
Thank you, Lord, for all your blessings.

My dear one--
Thank you for taking the time to listen to my still small voice in the midst of your busy life. You are precious to me for this time we share together. I do love you and guide you and guard you in all things. You must not fear to go forward, trusting that I am guiding you and leading you in the way I want you to go. You have many gifts that I have blessed you with and sometimes you do not always use these gifts. You have a tendency to want to hide them under a basket, so to speak, and I need for them to shine brightly so as to help my other children. There is nothing to fear. I will be with you always and giving you whatever you may need in any particular situation. So, go fearlessly into the future, sure of my love and companionship if you are sure of nothing else. You are a gift to me and I love you and cherish you. Do not disappoint me by hiding the gifts you have been given or the gift that you are to me. All is well, my sweet one. I love you.

Ash Wednesday

Ah, we begin again. I once again will hope to give back to my Lord some of the time and talent He has granted to me as we journey together towards Easter and the Resurrection. I need to make this journey with an open heart and mind as to the outcome and destination, I guess. I have for too long been focused on things other than the Lord wills for me. I must now teach myself to listen to His ever gentle voice as we make our way through the trials of each day.
I am excited about this Lenten journey...as if I am a child going on a trip with my loved ones. I hope to prove up to the journey and the demands this season will make upon me.
The homily tonight was on fasting and the power of it when combined with prayer. I pray for the willpower to increase my ability to fast and to make my fasts more pure and more powerful.

As of now, it seems that we are off---into the desert or wilderness and full of much hope and expectation about the future. I hope to be able to spend more time writing and improving my skills and talents there. There is so much about blogging that I do not know and I hope that I can learn more there, too. All in all, even though this is a time of fast and preparation, I am looking forward to the adventure of journeying with the Lord.