Holy Spirit of God, teach my soul to fast and pray…

 
Jonah 3:1-10

 
When Russia invaded Poland the Thursday before Ash Wednesday this year, my immediate reaction was to listen to all the news I could find… until it sickened me. Then I turned it off and tried to find ways to ‘feel better’.  The king of Nineveh knew better.  His own, and all of his subjects’, immediate response to Jonah’s prophecies of doom and gloom was to clothe himself in sackcloth, wipe ashes on his face, hands, and feet, fast from all food and drink, and pray. By doing so, the people of Nineveh averted imminent and  certain disaster that was predicted for their city. The spiritual dynamic behind the unfolding of the history of the world has not changed since Jonah’s time. In order to remain peacefully in the land God has given us to care for and to enjoy, we need to be well connected to God, without pride, disordered desires, and selfishness at the helm. This requires a ‘contrite’ and ‘humble’ heart, and a body and mind that is aligned with the purity and the purposes of the Holy Spirit of God. Do I know how to come back to God, to penitently turn to him and faithfully seek his Love and his Truth, that is his will?  Holy Spirit of God, teach my soul to fast and pray.
 
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not ake your holy spirit from me.   (Psalm 51:10)
 
We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence.
Sts. Teresa of Kolkata
 
For a taste of the prophesies surrounding these days…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bP38Kw66_bo
 
 
Soli ad gloriam
Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook
& www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca