Unclog My Arteries, Oh Lord

I am going to skip over the fact that it has been too long since my last post. Instead of dwelling of my inability to keep up on this blog and because you all are graciously loving me through it I am going to get right to it... 


I was looking through the good ol' files today and came across this reflection Dad did back in 2000. I read it over several times and a big smile formed across my face because just this morning God was having a conversation with me about my heart. Only to read later in my Dad's reflection that he is thinking about it too.


I don't know about you but for me, I tend to get to mass with about two minutes to spare. Life takes over. Today I "by accident" got to the chapel early. At first I thought, oh great, maybe I can squeeze one last errand in before it begins. But no, I decided instead to go in and sit quietly (gasp) by myself with no one else in the chapel. While sitting there I got this image of my arteries and they looked pretty clogged. I am a thirty-something who likes to run and stay fit so was surprised by this image... my physical body might be in shape but my spiritual body is on the verge. Thank you Lord for calling me out. My prayer today was Lord, unclog these arteries that are keeping me from having you flow freely throughout ALL of me.  During this time of Lent know that I will be praying that same prayer for all of you too.


 Wednesday, March 8, 2000      Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:12-18 ~ Psalm 51:3-6, 12-14, 17 ~ 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2 ~ Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

“Return to me with your whole heart … Rend your hearts, not your garments.”  Joel 2:12,13

Think of all the ways that we use “heart” in our speech: brave-hearted, pure-hearted, heart of hearts, had my heart set on, half-hearted, cold-hearted, wear your heart on your sleeve…  My heart – it’s all of me!  “Heart” is found frequently in the Lenten readings.  The invitation, and challenge, of Lent is presented today.  God wants me to bring my entire self to him: my thoughts, my desires, my emotions, my body, my dreams, those things that I regret, things of which I am proud.  If there is any part of my life that I have kept from God – bring that back to God.  And, don’t just bring it.  God invites me to crack open all of my life so that God can enter so to change, repair, heal and strengthen.

God, show me what parts of my heart I am withholding from you, what parts I close to your grace.  Help me, during this holy season, to return to you with my whole heart.