Dear Catholic Community,
“But now, O LORD, You are our Father, We are the clay, and You our potter;
And all of us are the work of Your hand.” (Is. 64:8)
As we gather to begin our Lenten journey, you are asked to take a piece of clay from the blocks of clay to remind us of that fact that we are all made in the image of God and we are as clay in the hands of God, the potter.
Lent is that opportunity to pay attention to our spiritual selves, an opportunity to be still, to look inward, and to be aware of what the “outside” is doing “inside.” We often forget that as the potter, God is working on the “inside” to shape how to respond to the events outside us. Restlessness and impatience often become barriers to our ability to listen to what is going on inside us. How do we overcome the restlessness and impatience? Try writing, it does help!
Taking the time to write down our hopes and dreams for Lent is a good place to start. Letting ourselves and God know what is in our hearts is important. Writing it down helps us to “see” what is inside our desires to grow these forty days.
Next, write down the actions, activities, habits that get in the way of spiritual growth. We are creatures of habit and we look for love and comfort in all the wrong places. What activities do we use to escape paying attention to what God may be doing inside? It is very important to write it down.
Third, pay attention to why you want to have a good Lent. What is the reason you want to make this journey? What “inner” call are you responding to? Again, write it down.
What can you let go of for just one day at a time, not all forty, of the habits and activities that hinder spiritual growth? Write it down, and then pray for divine assistance for the grace needed to put aside that which hinders the inner journey.
Writing down our Lenten commitment assists us in being focused. Taking that “road map” and looking at in each day during Lent, can help us to commit to another day of spiritual growth and deepening our relationship with God, our spiritual self and getting the most out of this 40-day journey.
Being in a faith sharing group during this time enables other to hear your inner story and struggle and give you the encouragement to continue the faith journey. It’s never too late to begin. Allow the lump of clay to be a reminder of how you are not in isolation on the journey, God’s the potter. Cooperate with the hands that wish to make you whole; the God who want you to be Perfectly Yourself!
Fr. Bill