February 2012
Reflections of God's Goodness

February is the signal for me that the season of Lent is near. Traditionally, for many people that means self-denial and certainly self-denial has a place in our Lenten practice. But it is so much more!

And don't we want it to be different this year? Lent is an invitation from God to draw closer. Don't we yearn for real change, change in our lives and relationship with God and others.

From Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, Lent is a journey. Perhaps these days leading up to Ash Wednesday ought to be preparation for the journey. Regardless of whether we are going halfway around the world, or just across our own country, if we want a journey or trip to be successful, we have to make some preparations before we embark. Every journey begins by deciding where we want to go (our destination) and who will be our companions. In preparing for our Lenten journey, a good place to start is to invite Jesus to be with us now as we choose the way, the tools and the material for our journey.

On Ash Wednesday, we can meet Jesus in the dessert, our starting point. Where is your dessert in 2012? Is it an empty house? Is it coping with an illness or chronic pain? Is it loneliness, feelings of failure, fear, or confusion? Identify your dessert and meet Jesus there? Walk with him; he has been on this journey before. Jesus has much to share. Jesus will tell you how his journey to Jerusalem could only be successful because he continually came to the Father in prayer. The Father gave Jesus direction and he will do the same for us:

"Go to your room, close your door, and pray to your Father in private." Mt 6:6

We need to be quiet if we are to hear his voice.

Lent is a time to become more reflective. Ask God what needs to change in you. What are your temptations? What are the things in your life that get in the way of your relationship with God? What is the one thing that distances you from the Father? Is it refusal to forgive someone close to you? Is it failure to give time to God in prayer? Is it unhealthy habits or selfishness with your money or possessions? Is there a difficult person in your family that you avoid? Identify two or three things and write them down. These are clues to the Lenten penance God is calling you to. Ask for God's help in making changes. When faced with temptation, resist as Jesus did, and turn (choose) to go a different direction.

Ask the Lord to open your eyes so that you are more observant about your life. Take time to reflect and take time to listen. I cannot say it too much. We need to find a time and place to be quiet if we want to hear what God has to say to us.

There are three proven tools for a great Lent, Listening to God (Prayer), feeling hunger (fasting) and practicing generosity (almsgiving). Now is the time to seek God's counsel and creativity about how you can use these tools to draw closer and closer to him.

May our Lenten Journey be blessed with new insights and adventures with the Living God.

Blessings,

Sr. Mary Ann Barnhorn, SNDdeN
Director of Development