"The mystery of forgiveness is God's ultimate entry into powerlessness. Withholding forgiveness is a form of power over another person, a way to manipulate, shame, control, and diminish another. God in Jesus refuses all such power."
Fr. Richard Rohr, Daily Meditation, 2/4/2018
OK, so Lent begins next week...on Valentine's Day. Rather than being a funny conundrum, I think it can be a stunning reminder to us of what Lent should be about. Love. We may think of it as about ashes and sacrifice, and those smells and bells from our childhoods, and that can be part of it. But Ash Wednesday falling on Valentine's Day is a clear indication to me that this Lent needs to be about Love. We are so loved. And we are made to love others. Whether we give up chocolate or alcohol or any of the things we tend to do, we need to remember that those things do not change God's mind about us. God already loves us immensely. God desires mercy, not sacrifice and if we could genuinely forgive one person this Lent it would mean all the world to God. We could celebrate Easter (on April Fool's Day!) knowing that a little bit of the mercy of God has rubbed off on us, and God is thrilled about that. So, as we have a few days before the ashes are placed on our foreheads, let's prayerfully consider how we can be merciful this Lent. Are there people we can finally forgive? Are there relationships we can reach out to mend? Let's pray about it before we are "ashed." Love, heidi
No comments:
Post a Comment