The 40 days of Lent are the perfect opportunity for us to do some…                                                             
“Spiritual Spring Cleaning”

For many of us, cleaning is the last thing we want to do.  We take care of lots of other tasks, leaving cleaning at the end of the chore list. We rationalize and make excuses so we don’t have to face cleaning up. We know in our rational minds that putting off cleaning something up, only makes the cleanup harder.  There will be more clutter, more dirt, more dust, more to clean up, if we procrastinate.   It doesn’t matter what needs to be cleaned- kitchens, attics, basements, bedrooms, bathrooms, relationships , misunderstandings or personal messes-  we like it when it’s all done but generally not before!

Our lives are in need of spring cleaning because at times we neglected to do what was necessary to clean and enliven ourselves spiritually.  We let the clutter of life build up and weigh us down.  Like a dirty window that becomes hard to see out of over time, our souls become burdened with the things of this world and the light of Christ cannot be seen shining through us.   

So during Lent we are given this “timeout” to clean up our spiritual lives through prayer, fasting, service, penance and sacrifice; reconnecting in a meaningful way with the roots of our faith.  The religious beliefs and practices we participate in during Lent help clean away the dirt that has collected over time and brings forth the shine and sparkle of renewed faith and trust in God. 

Every time we pray we grow and shine brighter! 
Every time someone sees Christ in us, we grow and shine brighter! 
Every time we forgive and are forgiven, we grow and shine brighter! 
Every time we are enriched by a sacrament, we grow and shine brighter!                       
Every time we learn something new about our faith, we grow and shine brighter! 
Every time we acknowledge God at work in our lives, we grow and shine brighter!

This week, this lent, this year, begin a spiritual spring cleaning so the light of Christ can be seen shining through you!  What a sparkling gift that would be for the Risen Jesus!

This Lenten Season know that you are in our prayers in a special way!                                               

God’s blessings and joy, Andrea, Liza, Marianne & Mary-Jo