Listening Hearts

Photo Credit: D Sharon Pruitt

Another thoughtful Lenten reflection for your consideration…

From our church bulletin, 03-20-11 (emphasis added)

A Stewardship Moment

Second Sunday of Lent

Saint Matthew’s account of Jesus’ transfiguration is a preview of the Resurrection and puts into perspective Jesus’ sayings about his suffering, rejection and death, and his role as the light of salvation.

With the additional command “Listen to him” from the voice in the heavens the transfiguration is also about the disciples’ resurrection, and sheds light on Jesus’ previous sayings about the cost of discipleship.

• Are we willing to listen to him?
• Do we believe Christ’s claims for our salvation?
• Are we willing to accept this cost even if it means rejection by others?

In the course of our conversations with other people, we often hear the phrases “open mind” or “listening ear,” but I think this Lenten reflection is asking us to consider if we have open, listening, faithful hearts because such hearts are fertile ground.

If you would like to share your thoughts about this reflection, please leave a comment below. If you’re a Bloggin’ Mama and choose to post your response on your blog, please feel free to link to your post in the Comments section.

God bless,

Bethany

Nourishing Hearts

Do you read the bulletin? I admit that I often rush through reading it. 😦

When I took a second look this week, I read this lovely Lenten reflection.  “A Stewardship Moment” threw me off, and I almost missed it. Did you see it?

From our church bulletin, 03-13-11 (emphasis added)

A Stewardship Moment

First Sunday of Lent

At the beginning of this Lenten season we hear proclaimed the story of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. He responds to the first temptation by saying that one does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

The season of Lent invites us to consider how we nourish our hearts, how we act as stewards of the Word of God entrusted to us.

A good reflection for the week:

• What do we live on?
• What keeps us going?
• Could it be possessions, prestige, the need to be in control, the need for security, addictions?
• Or the fervent desire to listen to God’s word?

The invitation to consider how I nourish my heart is what really got my attention.

If you would like to share your thoughts about this reflection, please leave a comment below. If you’re a Bloggin’ Mama and choose to post your response on your blog, please feel free to link to your post in the Comments section. That’s what I’m going to do.

God bless,

Bethany

“What do I reveal by the choices I make?”

I encourage you to read this Lenten reflection from Ave Maria Press’s 40 Days of Soup:

Lenten Recipe and Reflection March 10 | Ave Maria Press.

The closing really got me thinking…

In the temptations that come our way in life, we are presented with the same choice that confronted Jesus. During this Lent ask yourself, “What do I reveal by the choices I make?”

What do I reveal about myself by the choices I make? I’d like to think that my choices reveal that God and family are central to my existence, but do my choices really reveal that? I need to revisit our family’s mission statement and see how I’m measuring up.

What about you…what do your choices reveal about you? Please feel free to share your responses in the Comments below.

God bless!

Bethany

P.S. The chicken soup recipe sounds pretty yummy, too!

Why do we wear ashes on Ash Wednesday?

Lent begins today. Here is a post worth sharing from Matthew Warner over at Fallible Blogma:

Why do we wear ashes on Ash Wednesday?