“It’s Worth Revisiting” Wednesday where I have accepted the invitation of Allison Gingras and Elizabeth Riordan, to re-post one of my favorite articles. You can visit this website to see what "Worth Revisiting Wednesday" is all about - well worth the visit (and revisit!) So check out Allison at Reconciled To You and Elizabeth at Theology Is A Verb to see all the other great posts. With Valentines Day right around the corner -I chose to revist a post I wrote on loving every kind of neighbor - just click the image to read all about loving your (fill-in-the-blank) neighbor.
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Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of our Lenten Journey. It is an opportunity for both repentance and renewal in the life of every Christian. The ashes are physical sign of death (ashes to ashes, dust to dust) as well as a reminder that our life on this earth is short and that our lasting home is in eternity with God. We are reminded that we are to turn away from sin and to follow the Good News of salvation found in Jesus.
Although the images below are light-hearted in nature, they in no way are meant to demean the very profound meaning that is found in the imposition of the ashes. All are encouraged to attend Ash Wednesday services and to partake in this tradition. By receiving ashes and keeping them on the remainder of that day, we make a public proclamation of our intent to die to our worldly desires this Lent and live even more in Christ's image. Wear your ashes proudly. They can be both a deeply personal act of remembrance and as a sign of witness to your faith to the world. Not in a boastful way that says "Look at me and see how holy I am." But in a way that says to others that you have been reminded of where you come from and where you are going. #GetYourAshOn Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God. -Joel 2:12
And back by popular demand - last year's Ash Wednesday Cover
HOMILY OF POPE FRANCIS PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD'S PASSION ST PETER'S SQUARE 13 APRIL 2014 This week begins with the festive procession with olive branches: the entire populace welcomes Jesus. The children and young people sing, praising Jesus. But this week continues in the mystery of Jesus’ death and his resurrection. We have just listened to the Passion of our Lord. We might well ask ourselves just one question: Who am I? Who am I, before my Lord? Who am I, before Jesus who enters Jerusalem amid the enthusiasm of the crowd? Am I ready to express my joy, to praise him? Or do I stand back? Who am I, before the suffering Jesus? We have just heard many, many names. The group of leaders, some priests, the Pharisees, the teachers of the law, who had decided to kill Jesus. They were waiting for the chance to arrest him. Am I like one of them? We have also heard another name: Judas. Thirty pieces of silver. Am I like Judas? We have heard other names too: the disciples who understand nothing, who fell asleep while the Lord was suffering. Has my life fallen asleep? Or am I like the disciples, who did not realize what it was to betray Jesus? Or like that other disciple, who wanted to settle everything with a sword? Am I like them? Am I like Judas, who feigns loved and then kisses the Master in order to hand him over, to betray him? Am I a traitor? Am I like those people in power who hastily summon a tribunal and seek false witnesses: am I like them? And when I do these things, if I do them, do I think that in this way I am saving the people? Am I like Pilate? When I see that the situation is difficult, do I wash my hands and dodge my responsibility, allowing people to be condemned – or condemning them myself? Am I like that crowd which was not sure whether they were at a religious meeting, a trial or a circus, and then chose Barabbas? For them it was all the same: it was more entertaining to humiliate Jesus. Am I like the soldiers who strike the Lord, spit on him, insult him, who find entertainment in humiliating him? Am I like the Cyrenean, who was returning from work, weary, yet was good enough to help the Lord carry his cross? Am I like those who walked by the cross and mocked Jesus: "He was so courageous! Let him come down from the cross and then we will believe in him!" Mocking Jesus…. Am I like those fearless women, and like the mother of Jesus, who were there, and who suffered in silence? Am I like Joseph, the hidden disciple, who lovingly carries the body of Jesus to give it burial? Am I like the two Marys, who remained at the Tomb, weeping and praying? Am I like those leaders who went the next day to Pilate and said, "Look, this man said that he was going to rise again. We cannot let another fraud take place!", and who block life, who block the tomb, in order to maintain doctrine, lest life come forth? Where is my heart? Which of these persons am I like? May this question remain with us throughout the entire week. Pope Francis This week, Holy Week, more than any other week in our liturgical year I ponder the question - Who am I like in the story?
For at different times I am like Judas, at times I am like Peter... I am like the guards who mock him.. I am the like the women who mourn him... Cyndi First Fridays with Francis are a time where I share something that Pope Francis has said that has been a source of inspiration for me. This month's First Fridays with Francis words come from his Angelus Message of 3/24/14, the third Sunday of Lent. The entire message is one of such joy and such encouragement, that it was hard to pick just one part to share.
What an amazing thought. Jesus thirsts to encounter those of us who are parched. Those of us who are lost and seeking. He wants us to ask those questions that we have been too afraid to ask in the past. There is profound freedom in knowing that he waits, that he more than waits - he thirsts - to encounter those of us who are parched. Thank-you once again Pope Francis for sharing with us words of hope and faith. Cyndi by Cyndi Marlow
The above image is created for sharing via social media! Please share if you agree!
Today I bring you the final installment for my Lenten series of Facebook Covers/Social Media Images, (Lenten Facebook Covers - Free to a Good Home and Even More Lenten Covers as well as some Holy Week and Easter images.
I pray that your Holy Week will be one that is transformative and meaningful. God Bless you on your journey. Cyndi (to download any image right click and "save as")
5th Sunday of Lent (A)
Palm Sunday
Holy Thursday
Good Friday
Easter
Bonus Social Media Image
Something has been out of sync with my life lately. Seems like no matter which aspect of life I am talking about, work or personal, something has felt off. Out of nowhere, I have entered a dark and dry period. These periods of life are not uncommon to most believers. I think all of us go through them at some point. The saints and mystics of past ages did as well. From their wisdom we have come to know that some of the most powerful spiritual lessons are gleaned during times of darkness and dryness. The difference in this time for me is that I can feel that something new is about to happen. I just can't put my finger on it. Although I don't know at all where things are headed, I recognize that they are being directed by a power stronger than I. A layer of old "skin" is about to be shed so that a new one can emerge In the meantime I am doing the following: I am trusting in Him. I am choosing to see the good and I'm expecting the best. I'm choosing faith over understanding. I'm staying grounded in The Word. I'm going to freely enter into and embrace this Paschal Mystery season of life. I look forward to the new skin. Cyndi Here is the next installment of images that can be used as Facebook Covers or as general image posts on other social media, such as Twitter or Google+. (More can be found at my Lenten Facebook Covers -Free to Good Home post) As Everyday Evangelizers using an image on our social media is a way to witness to our faith. Bible quotes for the weeks of Lent are taken from the readings of the day and the title above some of the images will take you to the full text of the readings. All of these are free to use or share. Be sure to come back soon as I will have the remainder of the weeks of Lent and a series of Easter images. I pray that your Lenten journey is filled with great hope, joy and courage. Cyndi by Cyndi Marlow Lenten Journey Holy Week/Good Friday Right click on images and "save as" or if you would like, they are all here in dropbox where you can download the images.
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Evangelizing the digital continent!
We each may be only one person, but together we are
all part of one body. What is Embedded Faith? Simply put, this is a "gralog" (graphics + blog) providing images and thoughts to evangelize the digital continent.
Click to find out more. FAQ How do I download an image? To download any image, just right click and choose "file save as". Can I use your image on my website or publication? Yes! All images are creative commons and are free to use. Credit or a link to this site is appreciated. Images may not be sold. Categories
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February 2021
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