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
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