Muddy Places

“My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.” Psalm 51:19

During Lent of 2017, Pope Francis released this advice:

1. Fast from Hurting Words and say Kind words.

2. Fast from Sadness and be filled with Gratitude.

3. Fast from Anger and be filled with Patience.

4. Fast from Pessimism and be filled with Hope.

5. Fast from Worries and Trust in God.

6. Fast from Complaints and contemplate Simplicity.

7. Fast from Pressures and be Prayerful.

8. Fast from Bitterness and fill your heart with Joy.

9. Fast from Selfishness and be Compassionate to others.

10. Fast from Grudges and be Reconciled.

11. Fast from Words and be Silent so you can listen.

Sometimes we can be too focused on the externals, that we forget that what God wants is that we be freed from self-centeredness, and selfishness, so we can be more sensitive of others and what they need. In “Pondering the Word- The Anawim Way”, I read that fasting is “putting to death of the false self so that our true self can be raised to fullness of life.” I find it beautiful that the word “Lent” is from the Old English word “lencten” which means spring. Lent is springtime in our Christian pilgrimage. 

During springtime, there is fresh growth, and if we journey with Jesus these forty days, we will see buds and blossoms coming out of the arid dirt of our souls. God can find the muddy places and plant a garden. First we have to find the weeds of anger, worries, selfishness, etc., and give it up for our gardener to replace with seeds of kind words, gratitude, patience, hope….

Oh what a beautiful garden we will have!