5th Weekend into Lent

This weekend's reflections focus again on "clearing the clutter." Well, God sure has helped us with that! We are in the midst of one of the biggest snow storms in a long time. No one can get in or out. That is certainly one way to clear the clutter, to spend quality time with those we are with or just meditate on our own.

Jn 11:1-45; 12:20-33; 8:1-11.

In one lesson I read, we need to learn how to wait. Again, sitting in the house surrounded by two feet of snow is definitely a way to learn how to wait. Wait for the City Plow. Wait for the driveway plow. Wait for the snow to stop. Wait for the sun to come out. It goes on and on. Yet, all are so true.

This Sunday's readings coincide so well with what is happening outside. Mary and Martha asked Jesus to help Lazarus. Why, why did not help Lazarus sooner? What they failed to recognize at first is that God and Jesus can do anything at any time. They just had to 'wait' and God eventually answered their prayer.

Again, we have the 'wait' theme. And the 'faith in God' theme. Something, that when Lent is over, I will be able to maintain and remember on a daily basis. The last two Sundays, the lesson has been wait and have faith in the Father. That is easier said than done. We must never lose hope in God. He knows what we need more than we do. We 'think' we know what we need or what will make us happy. But God really knows. We may ask or pray for something and feel that God has not answered or prayer. Well, I was always taught, God answers ALL prayers. He may not answer them the way we want, but he answers them in the way we NEED.

Even with the mounds of snow, our Church did not close. We had 7 believers trudge through the snow for Saturday Mass. We had 20 for Sunday morning Mass. And amazingly enough, we had over 100 people attend the 11am Sunday Mass. What a testament to our Church and the believers in this neighborhood. God is still alive and well. Some days we have to look a little harder, but truly, today, it was not hard to see. Among the feet and feet of snow, God still sends his message of hope. Many birds and squirrels are buzzing around even though there are few signs of life during this blizzard.

We just have to keep the faith, clear the clutter, open our eyes for God's sign and wait. We will see and hear from Him. It's certain, if we believe!