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It's the most wonderful time of the year! And I'm not talking about Christmas. Not to come off as a martyr, but the Lenten season is my favorite time of the liturgical year. This Sunday is the 3rd week of Lent, so I'm a bit late on this post.
On the 1st Sunday of Lent, our priest, Father Bala, gave an amazing homily, explaining the meaning of the word "Lenten". It is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word "lencten", meaning spring, a time of hope and new life. Father, who likes to get parishioners involved in the mass, asked us what people like to do in he springtime: break ground for gardens that will produce for the remainder of the year. This is what Lent is for Christians - a spiritual tiller to plow away the hardened soil of our hearts.
As I have told you, I am a self-proclaimed cynic who second guesses every good thing that comes my way. Because of this, I desperately NEED the Lenten season. Without Lent's forced reminder to chip away the hurt feelings and skepticism of daily living, I probably wouldn't do it. I would keep my heart closed off to others, thus pushing the Lord's love away.
Father Bala went on to tell us a story about a man who went to a barbershop to get his hair trimmed. The conversation between the barber and customer progressed, and the customer mentioned his faith in God. The barber told him, quite confidently, that he didn't believe that God existed. If He did exist, there wouldn't be so many people in the world whose lives were a wreck. It made more sense to him that man is simply left to his own devices, that no Supreme Power could possibly be in control of this crazy world.
The customer smiled and said that if the barber didn't believe in God, then he didn't believe in barbers. The barber frowned and told him how ridiculous that was. Obviously he existed, as he was standing right there, cutting he man's hair! The customer said that if barbers truly existed, there wouldn't be so many people whose hair was disheveled and unkempt.
The barber was exasperated. He exclaimed that it wasn't his fault that people don't get their hair cut! He can't just pull raggedy people in off the streets; they must come to him to get a trim!
The customer smiled again. He explained to the barber hat God works the same way. Our Father doesn't force you to do anything. You must COME TO HIM for a trim.
Lent is a time to break new ground. A time for a trim. A time of action.
Ttfn, Amy
On the 1st Sunday of Lent, our priest, Father Bala, gave an amazing homily, explaining the meaning of the word "Lenten". It is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word "lencten", meaning spring, a time of hope and new life. Father, who likes to get parishioners involved in the mass, asked us what people like to do in he springtime: break ground for gardens that will produce for the remainder of the year. This is what Lent is for Christians - a spiritual tiller to plow away the hardened soil of our hearts.
As I have told you, I am a self-proclaimed cynic who second guesses every good thing that comes my way. Because of this, I desperately NEED the Lenten season. Without Lent's forced reminder to chip away the hurt feelings and skepticism of daily living, I probably wouldn't do it. I would keep my heart closed off to others, thus pushing the Lord's love away.
Father Bala went on to tell us a story about a man who went to a barbershop to get his hair trimmed. The conversation between the barber and customer progressed, and the customer mentioned his faith in God. The barber told him, quite confidently, that he didn't believe that God existed. If He did exist, there wouldn't be so many people in the world whose lives were a wreck. It made more sense to him that man is simply left to his own devices, that no Supreme Power could possibly be in control of this crazy world.
The customer smiled and said that if the barber didn't believe in God, then he didn't believe in barbers. The barber frowned and told him how ridiculous that was. Obviously he existed, as he was standing right there, cutting he man's hair! The customer said that if barbers truly existed, there wouldn't be so many people whose hair was disheveled and unkempt.
The barber was exasperated. He exclaimed that it wasn't his fault that people don't get their hair cut! He can't just pull raggedy people in off the streets; they must come to him to get a trim!
The customer smiled again. He explained to the barber hat God works the same way. Our Father doesn't force you to do anything. You must COME TO HIM for a trim.
Lent is a time to break new ground. A time for a trim. A time of action.
Ttfn, Amy