Pause+Pray

“They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served” (Jn 12:2a). I had always sort of assumed that Martha learned a lesson about letting go of housework after her complaint to Jesus about Mary not helping out (Lk 10:38-42).

God asks us to return to him with our whole heart, whole mind, and whole soul. He asks us to return to him with fasting, mourning, and weeping. It is in the challenges that God is most present.

Sometimes, a person might seem to want to ask what the ashes on your forehead mean, but are too shy or don’t want to offend you by asking.

Instead of fighting the mundane and boring today, flip it and see if you can find something sacred in the act, a deeper connection lurking underneath.

We need not only appreciate the gifts of earth, water, and air, but learn to care for them. If we simply fear climate change and planetary destruction, it freezes our creativity.

When we feel afraid or need inspiration, we can remember to walk in the light of God, feeling God’s light and love surrounding us with every step. Visualize God’s light surrounding everyone you meet.