Can You Make Change?

Reflection:

Making change is hard - and sometimes a little embarrassing.  Like when you need some "ones" but all you've got is a "five."  You ask around but no one can comply!  Of course, there is change that is even harder to make - changes in hurtful habits, changes in hurtful attitudes, changes in the thoughts, words and deeds we choose which do not reflect our faith in Jesus.

The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.  But just before, as we always do the Sunday before, we go up to the mountain of Transfiguration.  There, together with Peter, James, and John, we see Jesus - standing with Elijah and Moses - changed before our very eyes with His divinity shining out from the inside.  Let us all listen to Jesus as He calls us into the season of Lent - a time of self-examination and repentance; a time of opening our lives to the changes He may be calling us to make so we may become change makers and bearers of His light.

Prayers:

For all who are sick and recovering from illness or injury.  Prayers for relief and healing from COVID and the many diseases which harm us.  Prayers for those in mourning or facing the loss of a loved one.  Prayers for our nation in the throws of the Impeachment and for peace and resolve to move us forward.

 For all our cares, concerns, worries and hopes, let us pray: My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
(- Thomas Merton, "Thoughts in Solitude")