DAILY THOUGHTS: Daily Thoughts

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Daily Thoughts - Into the deep

"Yet even now—oracle of the Lord— return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God, For he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting in punishment." Joel‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭13‬

We begin again. Today is Ash Wednesday and God calls us to come back to Him. Maybe you haven't left Him, maybe you have been doing the dutiful thing religiously yet we begin again. To take a self inventory of where we are at with our relationship with God and His creation, ask for help from Him to work within.

Rend your heart not your garments. Our garments are what everyone sees, that part of ourselves we want to portray who we are. What does God see? "But the Lord said to Samuel: Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. God does not see as a mortal, who sees the appearance. The Lord looks into the heart." 1 Samuel‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬ Lent is that time of year to slow down and look within, is it God operating within or is it I.

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of our Lenten journey, time to review one's inventory within your heart. God sees what is going on within do you? Practice some mortifications this Lenten season, ask the Master for help, speak with the Holy Spirit and follow Jesus. Even if they are baby steps they are moving in the direction of God. God knows what it takes to move the heart, listen to Him while we have time.

Dear Father God, I thank You for the opportunity to take an inventory and see what You see. You know I trust You completely and I am trusting in You for the outcome. Help us listen with the heart of God and make the changes needed to merciful and gracious, slow to anger and steadfast in love. Bless this day as we come back to You. Amen.

Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, Pray for us.

St Joesph, Most Obedient, Pray for us.

St Ignatius, Pray for us.