February 2020 – Grace-Filled Hope

Remember You Are Dust

Posted on February 26, 2020 by Ashley

Ashes shrewn on my head

A cross of salvation

Sin to leave far behind

Before returning to dust

Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return. Repent and believe in the Gospel.

The second phrase is the one that I encountered this evening receiving my ashes, yet the first the one that has been in my head all day. Why does it linger in my mind so much more than it has in past years?

God made us from the dust of the earth, created us in his own image, immortal man (and yes, I am refering to the broad sense of the word…). We were to live forever and not worry one bit about our health and what came after life on this earth was over. In steps free will, and needing to know more beyond what we were given. Hence, the fall…death enters. One day, we will be returned to the earth and our bodies once again become dust. Morbid, I know, but a reality that we must come to grips with.

Let us now drift into the second possible phrase that you may have heard today. Repent and believe in the Gospel. Hope enters in the person of Jesus Christ. We have been blessed to be given the opportunity to redeem ourselves from our sin and receive the Good News of the Lord.

Lent sends us on a deeper journey towards salvation. We are called to pray, fast, and give alms. In using our weapons of self-restraint, we are able to grow closer to the Lord and fully receive the graces that He bestows on those who choose to follow Him.

Reflection

Community of Friends

Posted on February 5, 2020 by Ashley

Sometimes I find that people take for granted the friendships that they have. Coming home from my day yesterday, I could not have been more grateful for a friend of mine taking time to listen to me and support me in my journey. It has been a rough week and even with my weekly appointment, I needed to just talk my life out with someone. She is a blessing to me for sure.

This finds me thinking about church community. We are called to be in community with each other, not traveling alone. Think about when Jesus sent out the 72 to proclaim then Good News, they were sent in pairs. Then there is when it is said that “were two or three are gathered in my name, there I will be there.” God is three “persons,” Father and Son and Holy Spirit…community. Man was not made to be alone.

We must never think we can travel this journey alone. Having a friend to lean on can make all the difference in the world. Being that friend to someone else can give you a sense of belonging, making a difference in another’s life.

Do you make yourself available for friends in need?

Are you allowing yourself to be vulnerable and reach out to friends?

Poetry

Run to the Lord

Posted on February 2, 2020February 2, 2020 by Ashley

Last weekend, I participated in a Women’s Retreat hosted by the JP II Healing Center. One of the evenings during adoration I wrote a poem that I would like to share with you. It was written on January 24th, 2019.

Aa I gaze at you

And you still at me

I know you are there

Begging me to see

The worth you gave

The love you poured

The beauty you made

How you heart soared

That I am yours

No matter what I do

That you’ll welcome me home

When I come running to you

I have forgotten how important it is for me to spend time gazing at Jesus while he gazes at me. No matter what I have done in my life, where I have been, he will always welcome me home with open arms. It has to be my choice if I am going to come running to Him.

This past year has brought me many ups and downs. I spent two months working intensely on my life after hitting a deep low at the beginning of 2019. There have been moments of utter meltdown, but also moments of completely joy. The important part is that I give it all to the Lord, no matter what it is. He not only wants my joys, but also my sorrows.

Are you giving everything to the Lord and placing your life in His hands?