Hot Dog it's Lent!

ASH WEDNESDAY
Gospel Reading today Mathew 6:1-6, 16-18
"Make certain you do not perform your religious duties in public so that people will see what you do. If you do these things publicly, you will not have any reward from your Father in heaven. Mathew 6:1

Happy & Blessed Ash Wednesday to you all! I am so excited today is Ash wednesday because that means we have a new beginning! A fresh start in becoming holier and drawing closer to Christ during this lenton season. As of late, I have been down on myself about some of the things I have done and some of my interior thoughts and outer actions. However, this morning as I sat in Mass and looked up at the Crucifix, I was reminded of how merciful Jesus is and how he is constantly calling us to forgive ourselves. Lent is a reminder that we always have a fresh start through His mercy and Grace. What awesome news this day!

The gospel today reminds me that in motherhood, we are constantly fasting.....fasting from selfishness. The holy work we do and the humble sacrifices we make are hidden in our quiet (sometimes very loud) homes. We are not out on the side of the road with huge signs saying "look at me!"...."look at the work I do each day in raising these children!". We humbly offer our joys, works and sufferings up to the Lord each day as we do this very hard, selfless, exhausting task of motherhood. Our rewards are abundant in Heaven....Father John Corapi says mothers have the highest places in Heaven prepared for them for the work they do on earth.

So today, don't beat yourself up on trying to go serve in soup kitchens or trying to save the world during this lenton season. Remember you perform an act of fasting everyday. The other fasting you perform this lenton season, be it fasting on bread and water or from chocolate, can be an added bonus to help you grow in holiness. This lenton season I am going to try to do less complaining and more praising in the midst of this chaotic vocation called Motherhood. More smiling and less frowning, more laughter and less crying. More singing and less screaming. More dancing and less sulking. All for the Glory of God!

Blessings to you this Ash Wednesday!