During the Ash Wednesday 12:10 p.m. Mass homily at St. Columba Cathedral,
Bishop George V. Murry, S.J. began by sharing that the word Lent means springtime. Often springtime conjures images of cleaning out things after winter. He then continued to talk about spiritually cleaning one's heart for a better relationship with God. However, my mind veered off a bit to the meme seen above. Many people on social media have been sharing this idea of physically cleaning things out this Lent... to simplify your home but also to potentially assist those who may need things. As a bit of a clutterbug (not quite up to the TV show "Hoarders" level, yet, but I have the potential), this is an exhilarating and scary idea. But, I am going to give it a try.... if not 40 large trash bags, then at least several bags and boxes. I am also reminded of the Zelda Fitzgerald quote: What most people need to learn in life is how to love people and use things instead of using people and loving things. While I do my best not to use people, I may have a tendency to love things, as I was taught to treasure gifts from loved ones, and I place perhaps too much emotion into items I own. Therefore, this might just make for a good Lenten practice for me, as I will need to pray my way through it. One prayer I will be praying is the Suscipe by St. Ignatius of Loyola (proud of my Jesuit education): Take Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O lord, I return it. All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will. Give me Thy love and thy grace, for this is sufficient for me. Amen. (As one who grew up in the "Glory and Praise" era of Church music, I often 'hear' this prayer in the musical form, which if you are not familiar, I would encourage you to listen: www.bing.com/videos/search?q=take+lord+receive&view=detail&mid=61D9CBCC50671448A0A861D9CBCC50671448A0A8&FORM=VIRE Please pray with me, and perhaps join in me in this process of letting go. Maybe in the giving of material things, my heart will also let go of hurts, disappointments, or other feelings that impede a joy-filled relationship with God? May I be able to clean out all things that block God's love for me, so that I can be open to a deeper Easter joy. May your Lenten practices do the same for you! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Whoever confers benefits will be amply enriched, and whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Whoever hoards grain, the people curse, but blessings are on the head of one who distributes it! Proverbs 11:25-26
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*** Note: The Office Blog is now inactive, but posted for continued reference as needed (6/30/21) ***Cindee Case, MPSFormer Director of the Diocese of Youngstown Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry (2/2002 - 6/2021) Archives
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