Are your pants getting a “little too tight?” This might be the first sign that you need to make a change. Discomfort in one’s tummy might lead to more serious discomfort in the heart. Some folks require a surgical procedure to open their arteries to allow more blood to flow to the heart. The reason for this blockage is cholesterol. Anything blocking your love for God? This might be a good time to have a heart-to-heart talk with ourselves and ask what changes are in order to make our hearts grow stronger with the spirit of God’s love.Many people find success with “Weight Watchers” when they are motivated to makes changes that will help them “loosen their belts.” One heart patient shared that in the 10-week program her goal was to lose enough weight in the first four weeks to get down to what was called her “healthy weight.” She made the commitment to attend the weekly meetings and learn all the tools about what to eat and portion sizes in order to reach her desired goal. After she reached her “healthy weight” she would continue to come to the weekly meetings for more support. Her next goal was to maintain her “healthy weight.” If she continued to stay on track and eat right she would reach what was called her “life time weight” and then all her sessions would be free. However if she gained more than 3 pounds, she would have to start paying $10 for every session she went over her “healthy weight.”
What program would God recommend for you to have a "healthy heart? The psalmist tells us to pray these words: "A clean heart create for me, O God". And in the gospel, Jesus tells his disciples to be on guard lest they perform acts of penitence only to gain the approval of others. He is telling them, and us, that what is important lies within.
So what does Christ want from us as we begin another Lenten Season. Simply put: our hearts. He needs a heart that recognizes what things in our life are unhealthy and a willingness to change. This change of heart is what is meant by the word repentance. Repentance means more than just being sorry for past sins. It is a willingness to change our behavior in order to avoid sin in the future. In essence, what we need is an incarnation. We have to let Christ assume human form in us, just as he assumed human flesh in his own Incarnation. And if we let Christ into our hearts, we might be amazed at the transformation that will occur in our lives.
God prays for us as we reflect: “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 31:24).
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends whose hearts are troubled with fears of all sorts that clog our arteries with stress and lead to disease and broken hearts. May our need to change-our desire for repentance-lead us to a change of heart that focuses on Christ as he lives in others. And this change of heart should lead us to live lives which are compassionate, non-judgmental, forgiving and giving, lives which are lived in imitation of Christ, lives which have found true peace and happiness. As I put ashes on peoples’ foreheads tomorrow, I will simply say: “Change your heart and imitate the love of Christ.”
