Although I’ve never been Catholic, I’ve always loved Lent. It begins today. The tradition of giving up, fasting from something enjoyable, sacrificing in gratitude for the 40 days Jesus fasted and overcame temptation for our sake. We sacrifice something meaningful to us. In the process we are transformed. Character is built through choosing discipline – by overcoming self. We give up as a way of saying thank you.
Tomorrow we celebrate Valentine’s Day. A day dedicated to outwardly expressing our love for another. An opportunity to give of ourselves for the sheer delight of blessing someone we love.
Let’s open our eyes in gratitude for love in its many forms. Let’s choose to participate. To give up and give of ourselves. To love in new ways. For in giving, the good in us grows larger. Joy enters. And we remember it’s not about us.
Amen.
Acts 20:35 MSG …You’ll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, ‘You’re far happier giving than getting.
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