Lent

“A guilty suffering spirit is more open to grace than an apathetic or smug soul.' - Bread & Wine (day 5)”

― Edna Hong

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Ah Lent

a time that starts in ashes

and ends in death

but it is but a momentary suffering

leading to a greater gift

that of release

and life

and hope

beyond Lent

shines the dawn of grace

A pattern is here

we all can see and grab

that sense that all is not ready

we are not ready

to receive

we are not ready

to receive love and hope

not because the gift is not ready

but because we have

in the midst of life

gotten immersed in what is not life

or love

or grace

in Lent we stop

and listen

we reflect and go deep within

in Lent we realize there is no need

or spiritual arrogance or smugness

and there is no need

for spiritual despair, no need to abandon hope

we realize instead

that the heart open

receives the gift

that years to be received

grace