Making It Personal

Roy - as a convert to Catholicism, I often wonder what I missed not growing up in the faith and my understanding of Lent. Specifically, for this reflection the observance of Ash Wednesday. In my thirties, at work and on the way home, I would encounter ash smudges on many around me. I respected their devotion but lacked understanding. It was after my conversion that I came to appreciate it's meaning.

Earlier on in my journey, attending Mass and receiving ashes signified recognition of the holy day as the beginning of the Easter journey, and Jesus’s sacrifice for me. Only as I have grown (and aged) has it come to mean several deeper and more personal things in my journey. Today, you may be thinking that Ash Wednesday is a communal expression of penance in HIS Church around the world. It is certainly that.

But for me, this year two verses come to mind, both calling upon me to Humble my heart. Luke 15, the Parable of the Prodigal Son, calls on me to humble myself to the Lord. The powerful image of the youngest son having lost all material possessions, but not the most important possession of HIS father’s love. I see the same being true of the older son as well. He thinks he is losing to this upstart brother but in fact, he is being reminded that he has remained loved (spiritually and materially) and has regained a brother. James 4:8-10 tells us, “Humble yourselves before the Lord…” Isn’t he calling us to purify our hearts, to make way for Him?

Karen - For me, a cradle Catholic, Ash Wednesday involves Mass with distribution of ashes, day one of not eating meat today and Fridays of Lent and deciding on what I will “give up” or “do more or less of” for these 6 weeks of Lent. I have chosen in my past years to “do more” and find creative ways to accomplish that, i.e., praying the rosary each day for a different person who comes into my heart needing prayer, then following with a brief note to that recipient of the rosary prayed for their graces. Another example is my making sure to attend Stations of the Cross each Friday of Lent. I have also sought to read more reflections or daily prayer material during Lent. You get the picture. . . With our theme of “Making It Personal”, we are again reminded that this 6 weeks of Lent is another perfect time to search our hearts for how we can become closer to Christ and share in His journey.

To experience Easter JOY, we must feel the hope and challenge He felt. However I choose to immerse myself in Lent, I will strive to make it impressionable and personal. Perhaps DOING more isn’t what should speak to us. Maybe LISTENING and reflecting and studying and DOING less is how we better connect with God. We have 3 days until Ash Wednesday to contemplate how we will approach our Lenten intention. Our even thinking about it pleases God. Make yours personal. 

Our Spiritual Directors will bring us reflections week 1-6, Frank Viscomi, Tom Hook, Sue Dougherty, Jane Meiser, Patty Huffman, Deacon Paul Kudrav, followed by the Easter message by Fr. Jay Biber. We pray your Lent will be powerful and affect change in you. 

Blessings,

Karen & Roy Norville