Lenten Reflections
REFLECTION FOR FEBRUARY 21, 2021
THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
Join us on a Lenten Journey thanks to Anne-Louise DePalo.
DROWNING IN THE SEA OF LIFE
“I will establish my covenant with you that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed by the waters of the flood.” Genesis 9:11.
Do you ever feel like you are drowning? I often find myself being swept away by what seems like a tidal wave in the sea of life. There are times I feel as if I am gasping for air. Other times, I feel as if I am just treading water. I am not moving forward. In our lives, we encounter crushing waves, being dragged down into the deep, and just treading water.So, what do we do? Where do we turn when we receive crushing or devastating news? Perhaps we realize our marriage or relationship is broken beyond repair. Perhaps we have lost a loved one or lost a job. At times such as these, we are often filled with confusion, fear, and anxiety about the future. In essence, we are drowning.
How does one stay afloat?
1. Stop fighting and going against the current. Swim along the side of it. The more you fight, the further under you go, and the further you deplete your energies and resources.
2. Allow someone to rescue you by giving you a life preserver to grab onto, buoying yourself up so you can get to shore.
3. Have a trained lifeguard, or strong swimmer, swim out to us and carry us to shore.
Each of these can be applied to our own lives.The Sunday bible passage of Genesis, Chapter 9, recounts the story of Noah, and God promises Noah that He will never again destroy us by a flood. This is a covenant He has made with us. Christ makes a further promise that in times of trouble, seek Him and He will rescue us as He is our Savior.
So, when you are caught in a riptide, ask yourself, “Am I fighting, kicking and screaming, not accepting what is happening?” Are you going against the tide? Are you thinking you going it alone and not surrendering to His love and providence?
When you need a life preserver are you asking for help? Are you praying for support, courage, discernment? Are you asking God to send people into your life who can help you and then accept their advice and helping hand? For example, are you seeking an attorney, a therapist, a health provider if you are ill, a priest, a financial advisor, a support group or a good friend? If you are you can no longer tread water and stuck are you looking for the lifeguard who is swimming toward you? Are you meeting him half-way. Are you aware of God’s covenant with you? Are you acknowledging Him? Are you participating in His covenant?
So, again, I ask the question, what do you do when you are drowning? Surrender, ask for help, take it, and pray to God. Look for the lifesaver. He is there. You need only to hold on for dear life. Do not let go, and Christ will bring you to shore.
It is with great sadness we share with you that
Sister M Charlotte entered eternal life November 25th, 2020 at 10:30am.
Sister was a member of the Daughters of Divine Charity for over 70 years and earlier this week celebrated her 96th birthday.
Due to the covid pandemic, no arrangements have been made at this time.
Please keep Sister and all the Sisters in your prayers.
With a heavy heart, we share the following news...
Sister M. Hyacinthe Vamos, F.D.C. passed away peacefully November 26th at 5:45 at Western
Reserve Hospital in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
Sister Hyacinthe was 97 years old and would have celebrated
her 98th birthday on December 5th. She faithfully serves as a
Daughter of Divine Charity for 78 years making God's Love
visible to the many families and students that she served.
May she rest in eternal peace.
We invite all our friends to share their experiences with Sister on our Facebook page, with an email to [email protected] or with a submission through our website.
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Prayer to Saint Joseph
Please join us in prayer to St. Joseph. Our Sisterssay this devotion every day in honor of him during this special year proclaimed by our Holy Father.
O Saint Joseph our Guardian dear, this house and its members keep in your care; that the grace of God and blessings without end may from heaven upon us abundantly descend.
Grant that unity we may possess and love and peace and happiness.
And may the spirit of the fear of God at all times with us abide.
May our every work a virtue be leading us onward to God and to you.
With fervent prayers for this we sigh that you, with us, will always abide.
The key of this house to you we give, grant we may always in happiness live.
Sin and the spirit of darkness, lock out from the hearts of your devoted flock.
Into the Sacred Heart of our Lord enfold us and our dear ones; we you implore, that our home and life may always be like unto Nazareth with Jesus, Mary and you.
Amen.