February 22, 2023

Sister MT Summers shares a reflection for the service of ashes

As Lent comes around, we realize that God’s invitation for growing in wisdom and goodness is perennial. God’s arms are always open, longing to enfold us again and again. Once again, we hear the invitation: return, rise, come to me.

This invitation from the word is less of a summons to a program of fasting, or additional prayers, nor is it a “to do list” of giving up things, foods or wishes. It is more of a call to respond to a relationship with God and our neighbor.

Our relationship with God depends on contemplative,

quiet moments of being with God. We know that silence is the language between God and each of us. A silence that shares volumes from the heart of God to our hearts.

Then there is the question:  who is my neighbor? I believe this story best illustrates the answer.

An ancient Rabbi asked his students, “How can you tell when

the night is ending and the day is on its way back?

One student raised their hand and said:

“Is it when you look off in the distance and see an

animal and you can tell whether it is a sheep or a dog?”

The Rabbi said: “no.”

Another said:

 “Is it when you look off in the distance and you see a tree

and you can tell whether it is a peach or a fig tree?”

The Rabbi said: “no.”

The students then asked, “Well, how can you tell?”

The Rabbi said,

 “When you can look into the face of every person

and see that he or she is your sister or brother, your sibling. 

Then no matter what time it is, it will be morning.

But if you cannot see that,

no matter what time it is, it will still be night.”

During these days from Lent to Pentecost, a season of 90 days, let us deepen our relationship with God with intentional silence and look into the face of every person and see our sister and brother; let us not look at our differences. Rather see what  bind us together in the love of our God, as the Body of Christ, one family in Christ.

I sincerely wish each of you a blessed Lent-Pentecost Season.