2 - Fast with the Heart

"Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me."

(Psalm 51:10) 

As I have I mentioned, many of my Lent experiences through the years have been a mere "going through the motions." These actions of obligation without the foundation of love were of little value and did not produce great fruit. I've come to understand that to follow God's law by obligation is to be less than I was created to be. Likewise, to attempt to make commitments to fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, without love will not create a long term change. Transformation is rooted in love. 

Transformation is rooted in love. One thing that has helped me to understand this is my motherhood. Parents make all kinds of sacrifices for their children. The sacrifices that hurt the most are the ones that are the most life-changing, they help us to become the best version of ourselves, to make ourselves a gift. There is a saying that goes something like this, "Obligation pours a glass of milk, but love stirs in a little chocolate." Now, I don't think my children need chocolate milk at every meal. However, the premise of this quote is true. When I give out of obligation, I do the bare minimum required of me. When I give out of love, I add a little extra. When I "add chocolate" by giving more of myself to my children, their eyes light up with joy and great is my reward. When we enter Lent with fasting, prayer and almsgiving, not out of obligation, but out of love, great is the joy on our Lord's face and great will be our reward. 

Let us begin this journey by focusing on why we are doing what we are doing. Social Media is exploding #ashtag pictures and articles on what to give up for Lent. The buzz is that we are supposed to give something up, but most of us do not think too deeply about why. So, each year these forty days come and go as we offer empty sacrifice and experience very little transformation. Let's not miss the opportunity to become who we are created to be. The Lord takes delight in sacrifices offered with the heart. God's concern with sacrifices is not what we sacrifice but how we sacrifice. Our Lord loves sacrifices that we make with the intention of growing closer to Him. 

On September 20, 1984, Our Lady of Medjugorje said, 

"Dear children, today I call you to begin fasting with the heart. There are enough people who fast - but only because everybody else is fasting. It has become a routine which no one wants to discontinue. Dear children, fast and pray with the heart." 

 As we begin this True Beauty Challenge, we focus our attention on making an offering of the heart. If transformation is rooted in love, then our "beauty transformation" begins with the heart. In order to understand our true beauty, our hearts must belong to the Lord. He must have complete permission to mold our understanding and change us according to His truth. 

Don't just fast, pray and give alms this Lent... add a little chocolate to the cup of obligation and watch it overflow. 

Today's Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, in today's Gospel you said, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself

and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” (Luke 9:24) 

Help me, Lord to pick up my cross, to give more than I think I can this Lent, even if it hurts. I offer you my heart. Help me to fall more in love with you. Mold me with your transformative hand. Help me to know my dignity and to become more beautiful. I love You, Jesus, more than anything. Amen. 

Today's Challenge: 

Spend ten minutes in prayer. Offer your heart to Jesus and give Him permission to mold your understanding of true beauty. Tell Him of your desire to be truly beautiful. Ask Him to give you strength to offer Him this sacrifice with your heart everyday this Lent. Consider beginning a Lenten journal and begin writing your thoughts there.