TOUCHED BY LENT

Soppy, slushy, shivering rain fell all morning as my spirits failed to rise. How interesting. I often wait for someone or something to lift my spirits when I have One of whom I can say, "But You are a shield around me, O Lord; You bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the Lord I cry aloud and He answers me from His holy hill." Psalm 3:3

I rush, I race, I do not make time for the Holy to touch me. Yet He shields me, still He loves me, wrapping me in His embrace. "My child, let me hold you, draw near; you have no need to worry or fear. I am here and I delight in you." God desires to lift my weary chin, to comfort my lonely heart and bestow His glory on me.

I find I can only crawl through Lent now to my Father's lap and let Him touch my sinful heart and heal my hurtful ways. It seems I am an unlikely soul to come so near His holy hill, yet when I cry out, He not only hears, He draws near.

How is your journey this Lent? Are you elated, deflated? Let God's love rest upon you, embracing your soul.

Medicine from Sacred Scripture:

"We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our hope and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you." Psalm 33:20-22

TEENAGE LENT

My teenager walked through the door today saying, "That hurts my soul." Could this be Lent? As we live these days of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, could it be as simple as, "What hurts my soul?" And then to learn what heals my soul?

Bad wiring hurts me. I think, react and live from unconscious motives and defenses. Comforting ourselves with chocolate, sugar or alcohol can hurt our souls as we numb our feelings with societally correct anesthesia. Anger, pride and arrogance clog our hearts as mercy and kindness cannot flow freely blocked by these raging emotions.

  

Flowers and sunshine, unexpected coffee with a friend and a funny movie all heal me. Confession restores beauty to the soul, giving rekindles mercy in us and prayer brings us to God's heart of love where our souls can be refreshed and renewed, giving us hope and grace.

May Lent teach us what hurts our souls, and may we have the grace to remove it.

Medicine from Sacred Scripture:

"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things... 

And the God of peace will be with you."  Philippians 4:8, 9

LENT'S JOURNEY TO LOVE

So many paths, so many ways to go. This Lent I am simply trying to listen for God's voice and follow. It isn't easy. Have you noticed, if Someone says, "rejoice again I say rejoice, let your gentleness be evident to all, " Philippians 4:4-5 that all harshness in you is  revealed. We call it "chippy" here, a kind of brittle, harpish response to the most innocent of requests.

Or He will lob another one at me, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other." Ephesians 4:32 Then comes the real guilt-kicker, "Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy." 1 Peter 1:16 The key seems to be with whom am I walking? It is almost as if God takes me by the hand and saying:

Now, Child, let's get a few things straight:
 You forgive because I forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
 You are gentle, for you know I am always near. Philippians 4:4-5
You are holy because I who call you am holy. 1 Peter 1:16 

We follow a God who loves us, and holiness comes as I walk in obedience and great love of Him, almost as if I become like Him because I spend so much time with Him! My heart is emptied of sin and chippiness as I love and obey, obey and love. "Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have a sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply from the heart." Ephesians 4:22 From the depths of my heart's purity flows love.

How are you living and loving these Lenten days?

Medicine from Sacred Writings:

"Grace of soul is supplied out of our own moral choice... 
the beauty of the soul proceeds from obedience to God." 

John Chrysostom   Fourth Century

POLITICAL LENT

The Wall Street Journal this morning spoke of the harsh winter harming gardens. Can this matter in a world where Russia annexed Crimea and a mudslide has devastated a small town near Seattle? It matters. One can only face the world and the tragedy and joy of it with the strength and beauty of one's own soul. I am, in a sense, captain of my own ship, and swear allegiance to God and, in this season of Lent, remove from my boat all that is not under His reign.

On the Ukrainian minesweeper, Cherkassy, on Donuzlav Lake, men made choices of allegiance and, regardless of personal politics, there are lessons to learn. Watching other vessels being sunk, their way blocked, and a stand-off impending, the captain of the ship ordered a dozen sailors to disembark. Their commitment wavered. Trapped in this world, with its insane joy and heart-wrenching tragedy we are asked, "What is your loyalty: to self, sin and pleasing the world and others, or to God, holiness, doing His will?"

 

Flowers come, even in Crimea; the captain and fellow officers stayed on the Cherkassy, flying their flag till morn, then they disembarked. Do we have the courage to throw from our vessel all that does not cry, "Holy, holy, holy," within us. The damage of winter will be pruned, one way or another, we will cut off what does not bear fruit in us, or He will. John 15:1, 2

May pruning of the unholy in us be at His bidding, and for His glory.

Medicine from Sacred Writing:

"So too must we show our will; for we also sail a voyage, not from land to land, but from earth to heaven. Let us so order our reason, that it be serviceable to steer our upward course, and our sailors that they be obedient to it, and let our vessel be stout that it be not swamped amidst the reverses and despondencies of this life, nor be lifted up by the blasts of vainglory, but be a fast and easy vessel."

John Chrysostom    Fourth Century

A ROUGH LENT

Roughed in. Wires, walls and plumbing are all in place as we continue with the plan for our bathroom remodel. God has plans, though we don't always understand, He promises, "I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 This isn't prosperity gospel preaching, nor is it obsolete Old Testament adage inapplicable to our lives. It is God's desire.

God desires to bless, encourage, to lift up and strengthen; when life or people crush the hope God plants deeply within, we can be sure it's the hand of the enemy. Jesus says, "The thief comes only to steal, and kill and destroy; I have come that you might have life and life abundant." John 10:10 Yet knowing His heart for us requires silencing passions, vices and voices, including our own, that we might hear Him. This is Lent.

God holds blueprints in His hands; we can draw close and ask: "This? Did you intend this? How am I to build here, what supplies do You have for Me?" Lent is to loose our souls from our attachments in order to hear the Good Shepherd's voice. Accepting His knowledge of me, I can relax and, with His grace, begin to know myself, His deep love for me and His call on my life: to be His, a child of the Father, loved with an everlasting love and called to live in love, remain in love and love, even in rough places.

Medicine from Sacred Writing: 

"And I will be to you a Father, and you shall be to Me sons and daughters," says the Lord. See how from the beginning the prophet fore-announced our present high birth, the regeneration by grace? "Having therefore these promises, beloved." What promises? That we should be temples of God, sons and daughters, have Him dwelling and walking in us, be His people and have Him for our God and Father."

John Chrysostom   Fourth Century

HOME FOR LENT

The big boys, the adult men, the grown children? What do you call them, those who tower over you and fill your home with laughter and noise and the sound of their voices once again? It is pure joy here as our hearts expand to take in their presence.

I wonder if that is how it is with God? I wonder if Lent's lament is His heart calling us? Might He miss us as we are caught in sin, self and the world? If He truly is with us and sings over us as He holds us in His arms, then perhaps this whole experience: life, family, church, friendship, is just a way to remain in Him, bringing our true selves, our presence and laughter and tears to Him, that He might delight in us in our present situation.

We come alive in His presence, in His love; somehow a deep joy has crept into my soul, into the wiring and construction that God is doing in me. He woke me with a shaft of light penetrating my heart and mind and said, "Walk in the light as I am in the light and you will have fellowship with others."1 John 1:7 First is His call: "Walk in the light: let Me be your traveling companion, let Me bring you Home to the Father." And how? His blood purifies us from all sin and He speaks to the Father for us.

As we walk in the light, and Jesus purifies us from our sin we are able to be in fellowship with one another. The beach stretches before us, we can walk alone, or, as God's love flourishes in us, we have the grace to be in fellowship with others. God desires authenticity in His presence and in the world, in this way can we be His children and ambassadors in His Kingdom of Love.

Our boys leave, taking their true identity to live in the world as our children; we can go to the Father, claim our true identity and then live in the world as His children.


Medicine from Sacred Writing:

"I promise you a kingdom: and let present things be the ground of your trust, your trust in Me."

John Chrysostom   Fourth Century

THE OLD AND NEW IN LENT

Live wire hangs from the ceiling as all that was old has been removed and awaits the next phase of construction. It is messy, loud, distracting almost debilitating. Rough places will be smoothed,  walls mended as the full renovation takes place. And so it is with me.

Materials lie all around as the workers make their  way through the process and I find it all reflects my soul. There is so much to go, and many beautiful gifts God would like to bring, one being charity: love of others; a kind liberality and helpfulness especially towards the needy or suffering; a gift for public benevolent purposes; lenient judgement of others. Each plank might represent kindness, love, helpfulness, lack of judgement-all a gift for the public;  God's purposes in the world surely include my contribution of kindness.

So this is my Lent: switching off selfishness and pride and judgement, literally taping off the old ways if need be, and reaching for mercy, kindness, love, helpfulness. The "live-wire" had to be capped to have the source of that power closed off. Could it be I need the same in my soul?

Is there anything old in you that needs to go?

Medicine from Sacred Scripture:

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." Colossians 3:12

FLOURISHING IN LENT

Slowly grace gathers around my soul and I begin to warm as God thaws the seasons of winters that have accumulated, one on another, in my heart. Drops of mercy melt away grief and anger; it always surprises me to find it still lurking in the coldest places within.

No visible sign of Spring's arrival was apparent here, and so it is in our souls. We are changing under our own feet, shifting, melting, molding to the One who made us. We declare in Lent we will be aware, diligent, fasting, praying, giving, and yet the greatest movement is inward, the immeasurable leaning of our heart to the heart of God.

 Deep within He woos me, calling me to come, by myself to a quiet place and get some rest. Mark 6:31 Here I can respond, here I can let Him touch the tips of my fragile heart and mend what may be broken, and from here, listen to His voice.

The call may be to arrange our affections and orient our hearts towards flourishing and blessing. 

Medicine from Sacred Writing:

"For the gain of winter is more especially manifested after the season has gone by. Then the flourishing corn, and the trees teeming with leaves and fruit, proclaim, by their appearance, the benefit that has accrued to them from winter. Let the same thing take place with us." 

 John Chrysostom   Fourth Century

WIRING OF LENT

A crew of construction guys are deconstructing our bathroom. The day before yesterday the electrician was here rewiring the house; it seems the bath shared circuits with other rooms and needed more power. Snaking the wires through the house in an intricate process, two men were yelling back and forth, "Got it?" "No?" "Okay, just a minute!"

Lent exposes what's inside, like yesterday's realization that I want  to flounder up the stairs rather than ask for help and mercy. I need a little rewiring. God cuts through my resistance and self-reliance to show me that I am not always listening to Him, that my prayers are complaints rather than communication, that my fasting is still tied to outward behavior instead of ridding my soul of judgement.

So the beautiful opportunity I have is to open myself to God, let Him have my wiring and wait for what He will build in me. This is the new switch, able to power the lights; it isn't pretty, but it is in process. As I am stripped in Lent of old habits and patterns may His light shine the brighter in me.

Any construction going on in your soul?

Medicine from Sacred Scriptures:

"Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

STAIRS OF LENT

My steps, my stairs, these have troubled me in the last few hours. I realize the very fact that I want to climb, to ascend, to make my way is the very reason Lent may be such a struggle for me. "Lent is not a struggle where we suffer and afflict ourselves, it is finding our true identity."

Here is the rub, I want to work and strive; familiar climbing and falling are more comfortable than the truth that at any time I can ask for mercy. Mercy restores, mercy lifts me up from bottom step of my longing and efforts and carries me in His arms. It would seem that rising would simply mean trusting God's mercy to carry me, but it takes humility to cease striving.

The view He offers is stunning, the identity He holds is priceless: beloved child of God. He asks me to accept that I am His dear child and act accordingly. Choosing to remain a child when fully grown is challenging at best; I purposefully remain in Him and His love, trusting His care. I am loved and out of this love, action, even pious religious action, flows; identity does not flow backward. I humble myself before Him, sitting on the lowest step of the long stair crying and call out His Name.

I become a little bird in His hands, He holds me gently and begins to tell me who I truly am. This is Lent, drawing close to God as things are stripped away and being carried by Him to His heart. His creation, the waves crashing, the snow pounding, the rain lashing, all these know their place in this world and I am only now discovering mine.

We are called children of God, that is what we really are.

Medicine from Sacred Scripture:

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known." 1 John 3:1- 2

ELEVATORS OF LENT

Yesterday I visited a friend staying in the hospital on the seventh floor. I'm terrible with directions and passed four elevators on my way, worrying if I should take a particular one; each would have taken me to her. I had come to take her home. In Lent the Church gives us three elevators that will assist us in rising, that will lift us from the world and self and set our souls closer to heaven, nearer to God, bringing us Home.

Fasting releases us from the stranglehold of have, consume, fill, and satiate. We find ourselves empty and thus we create a space for holiness, reflection and God. Almsgiving opens up new places of mercy and charity as we begin to imitate the kindness of God towards others. Prayer is beginning a conversation with God where we learn to listen for His voice of love.

Slowly I realize I am on no, "fast track to heaven," as a matter of fact I find I am only on the bottom stair and falling more than I rise. I long to keep my Lenten commitments (I will write every day, I will be loving), but I miss a day of writing or lose my patience and become discouraged. The very stairs I am to climb are blurred by my tears.

At any time I can cry, "Abba, Father," and God will come and pick me up from my failures and comfort me. He is watching me try to find my way, searching for the elevator, stumbling in the dark and He whispers, "My Child, you have Me; rest and remain in My love."

So I stumble on through Lent, hoping you are finding the elevators.

Medicine from Sacred Scriptures:

"I lift my eyes up to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip- He who watches over you will not slumber or sleep."  Psalm 121:1-3

PURE PLEASURE OF LENT

I wonder if we could take delight and pot it, strategically placing all that gives us pleasure into a garden container. I think this is the way of the gardener, when they aren't in the garden making a new bed of flowers they are pouring over catalogs, planning the additions to their flower beds, anxiously waiting for spring.

We have this opportunity to find our true selves, to uncover from the riches and rubble of the past year and begin arranging our hearts and minds to live abundantly. The world sells a kind of riches that brings us poverty of spirit: more and more technology, entertainment, food and drink that leaves our spirits emaciated. We struggle to breathe the life of God, for commerce of the culture can literally choke the true life out of us.

Pruning our loves and lives in the course of Lent does much to restore authentic beauty to our souls. Less grasping, less rush, less accumulation and we find what has been lost: peace, love and joy.

How are the fruits of the spirit growing in you this season?

Medicine from Sacred Writings:

"For there is nothing whatever that will be able to afflict one who is well ordered in mind, and careful about his own soul.; but he will enjoy a pure and continued pleasure."

John Chrysostom   Fourth Century

BLOOMING IN LENT

I'm basking in sunshine, flowers and fountains. It is't fair, I know, at home we have mountains of snow, freezing rain and icy roads. Wintry mix, our nightmare in New England, where snow and rain take turns wrecking havoc on trees and roads.

I think my Lent might be about exposing my wintry mix, what it is that causes me to crash and burn in my spiritual life. The way ahead seems fine and then all of a sudden anger or lack of charity send me spinning out of control.

Snow drops come through the storm, they brave their way finding warmth and sun to sustain them, as will we. In the fasting and praying of Lent what hinders our soul from blooming is slowly overcome: the false self, the neediness, the selfishness, the greed and gluttony, the anger and resentment and pride.

Are you making room for anything new to grow in you?

Medicine from Sacred Writings:

"When the fast makes its appearance, like a kind of spiritual summer, let us as soldiers burnish our weapons; as husbandmen let us sharpen our sickle; and as sailors let us order our thoughts against the waves of extravagant desires; and as travelers let us set out on the journey towards heaven."

John Chrysostom          Fourth Century

LENT'S MELTING

Dust on crust is the phrase skiers use for fresh powder on layers of old ice. And so another picture arises of my soul as I see the trees dusted with the day's snow; as I give up attitudes that are unkind and God orders my heart, I see all that is underneath that keeps me from loving.

You certainly don't need my litany, but you can create your own, carefully looking at 1 Corinthians 13 and how you relate to others. Are you patient, kind, not envious, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, not keeping a record of what others do wrong?

This is the rugged path of love, the high call, the narrow way; we need only take baby steps to walk towards home. If we become aware that we are keeping a record of wrongs, we forgive, let go and a little ice melts off the caverns of our heart; we begin to love.

God is love and He is tender and merciful.

Medicine from Sacred Writings:

"Fasting is a medicine...now if when the body needs healing exactness is required on our part, much more ought we, when our care is about the soul, and we seek to heal the distempers of the mind, to look, and to search into every particular with the utmost accuracy." 

John Chrysostom   Fourth Century

LETTING GO OF LENT

I nearly lost my footing this morning as freshly fallen snow covered the thin ice layering black pavement. Twice my feet almost went out from under me; it is a perfect picture of my Lent so far. Twice in a week I have heard, "This season isn't about suffering, pain, and sacrifice, it is about finding our true self."

Look carefully and you will see the reflection of tree branches in this little pool of water; I, too, am to reflect Someone and something. I am a lavishly loved child of God 1 John 3:1, made in His image Genesis 1:26, but when my heart is frozen, God's love is not seen in my soul.

So, not even a week into Lent I am letting go of Lent; the sacrifices, the struggle, the pain of it all and I am going to simply try to love. I'm reduced to one little plant instead of three, another kind of pruning.
"His command is that we walk in love." 2 John 1:6

 I am back to my fountain. "For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light." Psalm 36:9  In Him we live and move and have our being and He asks that we remain in His love. I can ask for grace to walk in love, to remember I am lavishly loved and live from this fountain of life, light and love.

Are you walking in love this Lent?


Medicine from Sacred Writings:

"Lay hold of the pathway which leads towards heaven; rugged and narrow as it is, lay hold of it, and journey on."

                     John Chrysostom   Fourth Century

FRUIT OF LENT

Strawberries are ripe in Florida and they have found their way north. Bright, fragrant berries fill our grocery now, and our kitchen as well. I wonder what is filling your life?

What season might it be deep in your spirit? Is it a time for resting, fertilizing, cultivating, pruning, or harvesting? I'm in a painful pruning process and trying hard not to flinch under God's shears. Words, attitudes, some actions, much is being cut away that I might be fruitful.

I shouldn't be surprised; the grapes are trimmed hard against the vine as they wait for spring to bring life again to their seemingly shriveled up trunks. So am I as well. I long for sun and warmth and growth and instead receive harsh pruning and seemingly ruthless treatment from the Vine-dresser as He shows me more and more of my heart this Lent. He has given me three little plants to care for in my soul: kindness, gentleness and love.

What is God growing in you?

Medicine from Sacred Writings: 

"Cultivate your soul. Cut away the thorns. Sow the word of godliness. Propagate and nurse with care the fair plants of divine wisdom, and you have become a farmer. Paul will say to you, "The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops." 2 Timothy 2:6  Sharpen your sickle, which you have blunted through gluttony- sharpen it by fasting... We shall have the fast for a groundwork and instructor in all these things"
                John Chrysostom       Fourth Century

THE WORDS OF LENT

I am always choosing a path, are you? The call of Moses keeps ringing in my ears, "choose this day, blessings or curses, life or death." Our words, our actions our very lives live this reality; we bless others or curse them each time we open our mouths. I am becoming painfully aware that not only what I say, but how I say it matters.

 My words. Maybe I'll fast from talking this Lent. "I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do, this I keep on doing." Romans 7:18-19. My words betray my heart.

I guess it comes back to living from love and asking God to make me and remake me every day beginning again and praying that I can be gentle and kind, patient and not easily angered. Why is it that the commands are never about someone else, they are always about our own need and brokenness.

How beautiful, even on this unwelcome journey of self-awareness there is hope. I can know and rely on the love God has for me, trusting Him to help me. I am His child, unruly and stubborn as I am, and He will teach me to be kind.

Medicine from Sacred Scripture:

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with 

hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" Romans 15:13

THE EMPTINESS OF LENT

We are always building a house. It sounds strange, but if you really think about it, our lives are interior and exterior all at once. We lay a foundation, solid or weak as it is, and then we spend our lives constructing and deconstructing walls, doors, windows, and places of refuge inside and out; this is living, coping and sometimes thriving.

Lent may be about stripping away the candy on our gingerbread houses. We live from deep places, formed by the age of seven some say, and learn early how to decorate who we are to survive or please others or get by. How can we connect our spirituality with the person we have become? It might begin simply and small, by examining the external to give clues to our inner life. I must empty my linen closets and let my dirty laundry out to dry.

Perhaps your spiritual life is less messy than mine, thank God for that. For me, though, these forty days of fasting prove to expose all that is hidden under the light of emptiness. I can see what the closet is made of when I empty it's contents; likewise, God illumines who I truly am as I give up my comforts, distractions and hiding places.

As I cleared out my closet I was angry and frustrated that I had left it to the last minute, and here is my internal world colliding with the external. I can fast from purchasing and clutter and food, but more necessary may be the fast from wrath. Let us keep a holy Lent; holiness begs to be inward.

I want to be a pure, welcoming, loving home fit for a dwelling place for God as well as a comfort for  others.

Medicine from Sacred Writings:

"Make some change, and let the beginning of it be visible from this day. For if we spend the whole of the present fast with such zeal, having in this week attained the practice of not swearing at all; and in the following having extinguished wrath... having then pulled up evil-speaking by the roots; and after that, amended what yet remains, we shall come little by little to virtue."

John Chrysostom              Fourth Century

A WELL-ORDERED LENT

So many shoes, so many places they travel, in the recesses my mind Dr Seuss is muttering, "Oh the places they'll go." I wonder if God looks at His children and says the same, whether in joy or sorrow, "Oh, the places they'll go." Maybe Lent is calling us back to the sacred table of the Lord where He offers us life and life abundant.

Walking in the light of Lent towards the Father's heart is such a challenge for me; I'd rather give up wine, chocolate and dessert (I couldn't add Irish tea to the list), than just open my heart and accept the love and grace of God's mercy poured over me. I want to work and God says, "receive." I want to strive and He says, "rest." I want to sacrifice and He wants to transform me.

Ah, if I told you what was in my soul you'd be frightened, but we might as well have at it, since it is openness God is after. Two strangers in the pew in front of me showed me my heart on Sunday; I can be unkind in my thoughts and judgments. A conversation over the weekend with a family member was less than charitable. Can I stop now and find refuge in fasting from sweets?

Mounds of muffins would be less damaging to my heart than all this internal violence. And so, I must gather my courage and journey this Lent towards love, light and hope, letting God touch the deepest parts of me that still yearn to hide, protect myself and defend my lack. He can order my soul; I cannot do it, but with God all things are possible.

Medicine from Sacred Writings:

"When the fast has arrived, we do not take pains that the concerns of the soul may be well ordered, but we limit the fast solely to the abstinence from food. Since, were we to reap the full benefit of it in reformation of conduct, we should wish the fast to come round every day."

John Chrysostom Fourth Century

SPACE FOR A SACRED FEAST

There is really no place to have a meal here in our dining room. My books, my calendars, notes, reference books, reading lists, it all crowds my table and my soul. What takes up space in your heart?

 My life isn't wired. I can't seem to keep my phone charged or on me, and if I do have it, there is no guarantee that I can find it or will answer when you call or text. Technology isn't something I need to "give up" because I've never embraced it. There's the clue: what we cherish and can't live without may be crowding out Life in us. The challenge of Lent is to uncover what clutters our souls. It can be so innocent.

King Arthur Flour isn't a sin I need to give up, but my hard-wired overachieving identity that my stashes reveal might point to something that needs to go this Lenten season. I am not the number of muffins I make (nor are we the number we eat), but I am in danger of wanting to bake more and do more. When I travel I need a suitcase for my books and one for my clothes, even on a two day trip! It may be time for a fast from perfectionism.

Is there space in your soul for God's gifts of love, joy and peace?

Medicine from Sacred Writings:

"This is what is to be sought after and for which all things are done, that we may correct our defects; and that we may not quit the fast the same persons as we entered upon it, but in a cleansed state; and that having laid aside all that belongs to evil habits we may thus keep the sacred feast."
                          John Chrysostom     Fourth Century