Ash

Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight . . . 

 - From Isaiah 58

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Ash Wednesday!

The two days have not collided, since 1945! 

Godly Love is the highest form of love. It is based on reason, and a willful choice, to serve others, without qualification.

Romantic Love is an intense emotion. It is a feeling. It stirs up everything from rage to ecstasy within us. Considering the problems in society today, and our obsession with the physical and instantaneous expression of "love" . . . is it any surprise?

Ash Wednesday is about sacrificing all of that selfish stuff. We turn off the instant gratification, and turn on the eternal view. We control our hunger and appetites. We make sure that we are making the path easier for others. 

What a juxtaposition!!

Our fasting . . . our acts of sacrifice, are pointless, if we continue to give in to our fleshly, instant expressions of emotion. 2018 is a year of vain and constant quarrels and fights. Isaiah may have seen a glimpse of our generation, when he was inspired to write these words.

Don't talk about sacrifice and selflessness . . . and then turn around and engage in bitter debate in social media. Or at least. . . . don't put divisions within the Church on display for the world to see. The Church must be aligned within itself, and not divided down political lines!

Real Love is not about a tingly feeling. It is more about sacrifice and the provision of the most basic needs of humanity. 

Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day. Which one is really about love?