Ash Wednesday

We have entered into our third day of being housebound by the weather.  We tried to dig our cars out from the snow drifts but no success.  The only vehicles I see on the road at our front door are pick up trucks, high riding SUVs, and work/service vehicles.  I see the very occasional sedan braving these uncleared roads and they creep very slowly.  Intersections are a particular challenge as the driver must first determine where the turning point is and then MAKE the turn.  So far, so good.  At least on our t-bone corner.


We don't have a priest assigned to our parish so Father handles duties at his parish in New Madrid as well as driving down here at least three days a week to serve the needs of the people here.  Because of road conditions (on the highway and in towns) Adoration at 3 p.m. today has already be cancelled.  Father cannot make the drive to get to us.  It is still unknown if Father will be able to get here by 6 p.m. for Mass.  If he can get here, we will have ashes.  If he can't, we have a Plan B.  But at this time, even that is still uncertain. So, today I quietly and prayerfully await the possibilities to unfold.

This morning I read a sermon from St. Peter Chrysologus, one of the early Doctors of the Church.  He was born in Italy in 406 and was an adult convert to Catholicism.  He was Bishop of Ravenna from about 433 A.D. until his death in 450 A.D.  During his life, he was well known for his fine homilies.

In his sermon on the hallmarks of Lent, he tells us that there are three to observe - prayer, fasting, and mercy.  Prayer knocks at the door, fasting obtains, and mercy receives.  Fasting is the soul of prayer, mercy is the lifeblood of fasting.  They cannot be separated from each other.  One line, in particular, stood out for me as I read this short sermon: "If you ask for yourself what you deny to others, your asking is a mockery."  

My thoughts have been turning to reconciliation this week, and like the uncertain vehicles approaching the crossroad, approaching the object of my desire has not been a smooth road.  I had decided to make my confession with Fr. Jarek this week but weather being what it is, that may not happen in the immediate future.  Perhaps in the next week or so but like receiving Ashes today, that may be a bit delayed.  

St. Chrysologus' words, highlighted above, underscored my own private meditations on a major lesson I am learning during this mission experience.  S0, I tell myself and I share with you 

If you pray, fast

If you fast, show mercy

If you want your petitions to be heard, hear the petitions of others.  If you hear the needs of others, God's ears will hear yours.