Two Sundays ago I rolled up my sleeve and donated a pint of my blood. For those of you who know me, you know what a huge act of love on my part that was. I hate needles; hate ‘em, hate ‘em. I am not a ‘good’ patient. The whole idea of willingly permitting a piece of steel to penetrate my skin freaks me out; I get goose bumps just thinking about it! And yet, I do it as a gift of love. I do it because some person I do not know will live because of my gift. I was quite surprised to learn on that Sunday that 85% of all New Yorkers could donate blood and 2% actually do. I wonder… why is that?
We are rapidly approaching Lent. Lent actually begins next Wednesday, Feb. 6th. Lent is often perceived as a time of sacrifice so that we are ever mindful of Jesus’ sacrificial death so that we might have life. I wonder if this year we might perceive Lent a bit differently. I wonder if we could take on something new, something that will give life, something that will forever change us and our views of people we do not know. Is there a possibility that this may be the year that we can make positive steps and actually do something good for a stranger? Perform an act of love in which we will never receive a “thank you” from the recipient. Do we believe through our actions that we are all interconnected?
Lent is a time of journeying with the hard questions. It is a time of soul searching. It is a time of reflection. But sometimes, friends, we have to put legs on our prayers and do something.
Now is the time to plan your Lenten journey ~ God gives each of us free choice. I would really like to hear how you plan to use your Lenten time… |