February 2020
Reflections of God's Goodness
It never ceases to amaze me how fast time flies! Wasn't it just Christmas? January seemed like a new beginning, and yet February is already knocking on our door.
In a few weeks, we will begin the season of Lent, which in some ways, also seems like a new beginning, a chance to get it right! Every Lent we hope for change, but change is hard and sometimes we don't know where to begin.
I invite you to think about the Greek word 'metanoia' which is often translated 'repentance', but it is really something much deeper. Metanoia means to 'change your mind', to 'think differently,' ' to turn and go in a new direction,' It invites a change in our thinking, a change in our heart and mind and actions. Metanoia summons us to turn toward God in new ways.
How do we go about this kind of change? First, we need to take stock, to look at where we are in our relationship with God, and to try to see where we ought to be. How do our values and actions line up with what we know about Jesus? Metanoia calls us to lay aside our agenda and turn toward Jesus' agenda, the Kingdom of God on earth.
"Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect."
Scripture encourages us to 'take our thoughts captive.' The way we think determines the way we act. We need to fill our minds with God's word so that it will fill our thoughts more and more. It will become a part of us in a deeper way surfacing in our thoughts and actions as we go about our life.
Although metanoia is not just for Lent, you could use the pillars of this season to 'renew your mind': pray to God for a new hunger for His word and sit with God in silence so that He can speak to you; fast from some entertainment, TV, books or even some hobby and commit that time to reading and meditating on God's word; and lastly let your almsgiving be a giving of yourselves in love to those who most need it. Freely give smiles and greeting to people you don't know. Give hugs to those you know, all with the intention of passing on the love of God you have received.
May February be a new beginning for you and the coming season of Lent be filled with the changes you desire.
Sister Mary Ann Barnhorn, SNDdeN
"The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent, they are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness. Good is the Lord to one who waits for him, to the soul that seeks him."
