I am not fasting from chocolate this year.  I have eaten heart-shaped cookies today.  I believe I have given up a lot these past months and know that there is more to come. I do not like this deficiency model that I am operating out of. I prefer to work on something that will change me for the better for a longer period than 40 days.  My prayer for Lent will be Psalm 51: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

I want to come closer to my Beloved this Lent and beyond.  I want to place all of my needs into Jesus’ Sacred Heart and experience the greatest Love that any of us can find. A friend of mine today mentioned that he thought the Sacred Heart was a good symbol for the melding of these two events. I loved this image.  Another friend sent me this Valentine over social media: Roses are red, Violets are blue, You are dust and unto dust you shall return.  That made me laugh.

Being single on Valentine’s Day can be depressing for some people.  Today I found such solace in the gifts I received from my earthly friends but it cannot compare to what my Beloved brings me.  Today at mass, I remembered that I am just dust made by the One who creates star-dust.  This One creates lavishly and uniquely.  Each soul is fashioned tenderly and carefully, created for a particular person during a specific time. Each of us is made by Love and meant to radiate that to the world during our time here. If we are blessed to recognize this gift in our lives, we can notice that we are never alone or unloved. We always have Someone who longs for us as no one else can. Even though we are made of dust, and to dust we shall return, we are also made of Love and to Love we will return.

Peace,

Suzanne

Reflection Questions

Who do you love most in your life?

What will you do for Lent this year?

Prayer

Create in me a pure heart, a single-hearted love.  Keep my eyes on you as you renew a steadfast spirit within. May I be completely yours, Soul-Maker, and radiate your Love into our world.  Amen.