Today's readings are always powerful and full of reminders. I found myself rethinking about the first reading from the book of Joel. I need to go back and re-read the entire book of Joel. Below is the reading. I have highlighted the areas I ponder in my heart. My thoughts will follow the reading.
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.
Blow the trumpet in Zion!
proclaim a fast,
call an assembly;
Gather the people,
notify the congregation;
Assemble the elders,
gather the children
and the infants at the breast;
Let the bridegroom quit his room
and the bride her chamber.
Between the porch and the altar
let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep,
And say, "Spare, O LORD, your people,
and make not your heritage a reproach,
with the nations ruling over them!
Why should they say among the peoples,
'Where is their God?'"
Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his land
and took pity on his people.
My thoughts are my own. I am not a scholar or theologist. I am simply a woman pondering His words. I often ask for the grace to be merciful in the disciple of my children....so this was more than an adequate reminder to exercise patience and be kind in reproach. Our children are so precious and deserving of dignity and respect.
Secondly, I love that He says to "gather the children". Yes, bring the children to church, the wee little ones at the breast are welcome and are being called into the presence of their creator.
And lastly, I have to believe that The Lord, Our Lord, will have pity on the faithful for remaining faithful during all the turmoil in our nation.
I have more thoughts but I will leave you for now and update this post later.
Peaceful Journey.
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