Return to HIM!

"Yet even now," declares the LORD, "Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning." 

Joel 2:12

 

     It is that time of year again.....LENT!!  Most people do not look forward to Lent, but it is my favorite Liturgical season of the year.  It is my "kick in the butt" season.  You see, I spend my days teaching Religion to 49 students.  It is my job to know my faith and to make sure that I teach it well to my 5th-8th graders.  But, because of that, sometimes, I only teach what my curriculum requires me to teach.  I mean, I might be teaching my students what they need to know, but what about MY faith? I can become lazy and complacent when it comes to my faith and that is why I love Lent.  I get to make the next 40 days about growing in my faith, not just teaching it to my students.  What about you?  What can you do with the next 40 days?  Have you become lazy or complacent?  If so, then I ask you to join me for the next 40 days as we return to the Lord with our whole hearts!

 

     Tomorrow, we will all go to Mass to receive our ashes and hear the words of Joel, "Return to me with your whole heart."  God knows that our lives are filled with distractions and He desperately wants us to return to Him for the next 40 days.  The ashes are an outward sign that we desperately want to return to Him too. You see, this relationship is a two way street.  We have to go to Him with our whole hearts.  He is eagerly waiting for our return.  Tomorrow we will hear the words, "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel."  We will leave Mass marked as sinners.  A black cross on our forehead, like a scarlet letter, proclaiming that we are imperfect for the world to see.  Imperfect, yet unconditionally loved.  We, though sinners, are called to run into the arms of our Father during Lent, who has been patiently waiting for our return.  He wants to wipe our sins away and make us the perfect creations that he intended.

  

     So, it is time for the laziness and the complacency to stop.  It is time to dive deep into our faith for the next 40 days and FAST, PRAY and GIVE!!  You know.....the three things we are asked to do during Lent.  But we will save those three topic for the next blog!

 

HAPPY FAT TUESDAY EVERYONE!

Kim