Lenten Meditation Sibling March 17

Today’s Readings

Thus says the LORD:

Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings,

who seeks his strength in flesh,

whose heart turns away from the LORD.

He is like a barren bush in the desert

that enjoys no change of season,

But stands in a lava waste,

a salt and empty earth.

The Lord tells us in this passage from Jeremiah, to not trust in human beings. We all have been hurt. Our hearts cringe at those who have done great damage, and it struggles to forgive. We may even hate the ones that have hurt us, yet the Lord says, do not trust in man. We all make mistakes, and sin against one another. Some are vicious sins that we cannot seem to let go of, and so we struggle to find healing and forgiveness. But read this next passage and let it be a balm to soothe your hurting heart. HE IS THE ONLY WAY!

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

whose hope is the LORD.

He is like a tree planted beside the waters

that stretches out its roots to the stream:

It fears not the heat when it comes,

its leaves stay green;

In the year of drought it shows no distress,

but still bears fruit.

More tortuous than all else is the human heart,

beyond remedy; who can understand it?

I, the LORD, alone probe the mind

and test the heart,

To reward everyone according to his ways,

according to the merit of his deeds.

We must instead, trust in the Lord. The one who is hope itself. We must plant our roots in Him and drink deeply of His healing waters. When sorrow comes, let us stay rooted in Him, bearing fruit because of our great trust in His plan. We cannot understand the ways of our hearts, our emotions mostly reign our actions. But we must step away from allowing our emotions to dictate our reason. We must surrender to Him. He will make us new.

If we give everything to the Lord, and allow him to enter us, especially in the most Holy Eucharist, in the state of grace, without mortal sin, we must ask him to purify every single cell in our body. For his healing grace to reach even the most hidden crevices of our soul. To allow his Body and Blood to transform our hearts and seek forgiveness. It only starts with our YES. Yes Jesus, I give you permission to enter my heart and do with me what you will. I am too weak to do anything on my own, and ask for you to help me. Show me the way.

He is our remedy. He is our doctor. He will bring healing. He will provide. All we have to do is say YES.

-Anonymous