Ash Wednesday (Ps 51:14) by Sr. Francelle Clark

01 Mar Ash Wednesday (Ps 51:14) by Sr. Francelle Clark

Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain me. ~ Ps 51:14
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Sr. Francelle’s Reflections: I look forward to the season of Lent with joy and excitement, because I know so many are going to get closer to Jesus. Lent prepares us for the greatest feast of all the year, the Resurrection, Easter Sunday! Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts for forty days, in memory of Jesus’ forty day fast in the desert. The ashes we receive on our foreheads remind us, “we came from dust and unto dust we shall return.” Saying “no” to ourselves in small things, such as giving up sweets, refraining from expressing our opinion, having the last word, needing to be “right” always, not complaining, not blaming, etc., these all get us into the habit of “dying to self” – then, when something bigger comes along, such as saying “no” to sin, we can conquer. If we wish to follow Jesus, we have no choice except to deny ourselves because Jesus said, “Unless you deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciples.” I know a family, who decided each member would do something kind each day during Lent, then at the evening meal, they share what they have done. If they can’t think of anything they did, they share some kind act they saw someone else do. As we walk the way of the cross with Jesus, may our hearts be transformed this Lent.

Faith Challenge: For Lent, let’s take on or give up something to help us realize true freedom through joyfully carrying our daily crosses as disciples of Jesus Christ, offering up each cross as a prayer for someone.  *** Run/walk a few 5K legs of the A-Cross America Relay for Pro-Life!, even remotely in your neighborhood (Mar 1st to Apr 9th).    

Pray LIFE Runners Creed to End Abortion. 
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Inspiration: “Dear Heavenly Father, as we live this Ash Wednesday, may the crosses of ashes that mark our foreheads be a reminder to us and to those we meet that we belong to your Son. Amen.” ~ author unknown
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All In Christ for Pro-Life,
Sr. Francelle