We are in the last stretch of Lent and head toward Holy Week and Easter. Often times I see the “finish line” of Easter Sunday and forget to reflect on what I learned about God, my spirituality and myself during this Lenten Season. I have talked to a few others, and I guess I am not alone. This year I don’t want to miss the opportunity to miss the gifts I received during this Lenten Season, because the “prize” of Easter Joy overshadowed the blessings received during these 40 days.
I invite you to join me in this time of reflection during this Holy Week. I begin by placing the “lump of clay” we received on Ash Wednesday in front of me. We prayed throughout the Lenten Season, “Lord, mold us and shape us into your image!” The clay I have and others confirmed, is all dried out and crumbled pieces. Quite a message there, don’t you think? We’ll all see it differently. How important water is on our spiritual journey, especially the waters of Baptism. Someone mentioned, it reminds them of being a “cracked-pot.” Without the grace of God we all thirst for the presence of the living God. Beside restful waters he leads me, and there he refreshes my soul. Some others have thought, “it is a reminder that our relationship with God is multi-faceted, like the pieces of clay has become. What are your thoughts as you sit with what was a lump of clay forty day ago? Take the time to reflect on this journey.
How about your visits to the six prayer stations around the church? Did you make time? What were the lessons? Too busy? Can you make time now? I am carrying a heart in my breavery so that each time I pray throughout the day I am reminded of the promise I made during this Lenten Season, and try to keep during the Easter Season and beyond.
Lessons learned from reading Matthew Kelly’s Perfectly Yourself? We all received a copy at Christmas, and had an opportunity to join one of the small groups for discussion. There were also the Daily reflections offered by Kelly and members of the Dynamic Catholic staff on the same topic. Where did that take you on this spiritual journey and in your relationship with God? Our Tuesday group is going to need two more weeks in the Easter Season to complete our reading due to Tuesday snow storms. Our sharing was powerful and supportive for me and those who are attending.
The “finish line” - the final stretch of Lent is very near. Don’t miss the opportunity to reflect on the gifts, and grace received during these 40 of Lent! It certainly gives us more reason to celebrate the 50 days of Easter!