The Holy Spirit is busy today

 Interesting day. Aside from the excitement at Church, the Holy Spirit has been quite busy today. This morning, after I prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Lord laid these words on my heart, "Rend your hearts, not your garments." I think He is simply confirming to me how important it is to circumcise our hearts this Lent as it is similar to the word He gave me yesterday. Love is what He desires most. The Lord's timing in these words doesn't surprise me as I am trying to work extra hard [with His Grace] on charity this year. These words are from Joel chapter 2. I decided to read the whole chapter. Here is part of it:

"The Lord raises his voice
at the head of his army;
for immense indeed is his camp,
yes, mighty, and it does his bidding.
For great is the day of the Lord,
and exceedingly terrible; who can bear it?
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.
For gracious and merciful is he,
slow to anger, rich in kindness,
and relenting in punishment.
Perhaps he will again relent
and leave behind him a blessing,
Offerings and libations
for the Lord, your God."

The whole chapter is beautiful and well worth reading in this week before Lent. This Lent I will definitely be fasting but I will also be rending my heart with the help of his grace and love so that on Easter a new Mary will arise out of the ashes as the Holy Spirit burns the willfulness from my heart.

At Mass, my mom also received a word today.She has been under stress lately and has even been having little panic attacks before cantoring.  She whispered it to me after the Rosary, " I sought the Lord and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears." We both smiled at each other during Mass when the priest read,"Martha, Martha, you are anxious about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the best part and it will not be taken from her." (My mom can be a bit of a Martha.)The Lord reassures his people that we need not worry. We are safe in His Hands:)

Utterly Thine, O Lord! I praise Thee and adore Thee, my Lord and my God!