This Week's Quotation:
Lent is a time of going very deeply into ourselves. What is it that stands between us and God? Between us and our brothers and sisters? Between us and life, the life of the Spirit? Whatever it is, let us relentlessly tear it out, without a moment’s hesitation.
~ Catherine Doherty
Release and Renew
Terri McCartney
Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, a day Christians of many faiths recognize as the first day of Lent. The Lenten Season leads up to Easter Sunday. During the Lenten Season, the focus is to give up something to commemorate the 40 days that Jesus fasted in the desert.
This Lent, I’m eager to sacrifice on the altar of our One Source anything that prevents my heart from being fully open to the Love that knows no separation. I willingly sacrifice anything that interferes with my being in attunement with the creative Source of all that exists.
It’s easy to miss seeing all the ways our thoughts and beliefs continue to engage in separation. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day of our lives and forget what a gift every moment is. Whatever our faith, it is a blessing to our world when we consciously express our gratitude for all the grace, beauty, and wonder in our lives.
At all times, kindness, and goodwill are graces we can give. Lent not only offers an opportunity to consciously release or sacrifice, it’s also a special time to welcome renewal as we become more aware of and act on the truth that we are all in this together. Every one of us is a beautifully integral facet of life.
About Open Windows
We, the authors of this blog, dedicate it to the transparent exploration of the world's sacred scripture and enlightened spiritual thought. We believe that the original inspiration of all faiths comes from a common source, named and revered in a myriad of ways. With that understanding, the innumerable symbols, beliefs, and practices of faith cease to divide. They become open windows to a common reality that inspires and unifies us. We find deeper insight and nourishment in our own faith and from the expression of faith from others.
We hope these weekly quotations and meditations speak to your heart and soul.
Thank you Terri – it is a little hard to believe that Ash Wednesday has already passed us by – not that we didn’t notice – it just seems like time is flying as fast as we were told it might – and it feels a little amazing. The blessing of the writings in Open Windows – or one of the Blessings – is the reminder that it is more important than ever to keep the Windows of our hearts open so that what is being newly created is what has been wished for over the millennia – the true knowledge that we are all One – and that Love Is the Answer.
Many thanks, Terri and Catherine. Perhaps “lent” is a time to think of what has been “lent” or loaned to us by our programming and our culture and a time to give it back … so that what is PERMANENT (not what is lent) in our spirit is what remains and shines. Thank you also for the notice below the blog about the interfaith event on March 21. Am supporting it all the way. Love, Tom C.
CORRECTION: I think i just wrote March 21 and I meant February 21. My apologies.
Thank you so much, Terri. Beautifully written and powerfully true.
Yes, as you indicate, Terri, “We are all in this together. Every one of us is a beautifully integral facet of life.” And, yes, I am always willing to let go of anything that prevents me from opening more completely to the flow of Love at my Source and bringing this to my world.