Thursday after Ash Wednesday - March 3, 2022

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Deuteronomy 30:15-20           Luke 9:22-25

“He is like a tree planted near running water, that yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 1)

After wading through the last couple of years, it would be easy to feel more like a tree planted in a desert than one beside running water. Fear, fatigue and loneliness have rolled over me regularly. In Ignatian spirituality, this time feels like a period of desolation without “fruit.”

Even pre-pandemic, most have experienced an arid, parched period. Up to 60% of the human body is water. We must have water to survive. Therefore, it makes sense that the tree in today’s responsorial psalm prospers near running water. The same is true for faith. If the roots of your faith are nourished by prayer, Eucharist, meditation or an appreciation of God's miracles in nature, your spiritual life will be vital. Like the tree, we need to plant ourselves near a life source (faith) so that when we are parched, we can rely on deep, healthy roots to find us the drink we need. “Blessed are they who hope in the Lord”…indeed!

Q: What sources of faith quench my thirst for God? Make a commitment to prioritize these throughout Lent.

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