February 4
Peace be with you! In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world. He wants us to let our light radiate onto others so that all may come to know the wonderful love of God.
St. Teresa of Avila, a 16th-century Spanish mystic and author of The Interior Castle, discovered that there is “a secret place, a radiant sanctuary—as real as your own kitchen” inside each one of us. She describes this deep, inner sanctuary as being so light there that all you can see is God. St. Teresa said that loving God and others was her humble path toward finding this treasure of her beautiful, Divine light within. She writes, “the important thing is not to think much but to love much; and so do that which best stirs you to love.”
The upcoming season of Lent invites us to center our lives on those things which best stir us to love. Good Shepherd has a great variety of Lenten offerings in the areas of worship, formation, and outreach to awaken our souls to love like Jesus. Ash Wednesday services will be offered at 7 am, 12 pm, and 7 pm on Wednesday, February 18. Child care is available for the 7 pm service. Parents are invited to join one or more movements of Good Shepherd’s Silent Retreat on Saturday, February 21. Fr. Hendree and his colleague, Dr. Gary Jones, will co-lead this wonderful day of silence and contemplative teaching. Register HERE for our Lenten Silent Retreat. Our Outreach Minister, Julie Broderson, has organized a fantastic day of community outreach service called “Good Shepherd Loves Like Jesus” on Saturday, February 14. Go HERE to learn more and to sign up for one or more outreach events that day.
Families are invited to participate in a Lenten lunch and a Godly Play story about the life of Jesus as we begin to journey toward the great Mystery of Easter. Experience the story we will tell the children in chapel. Enjoy time with other families. Receive Lenten resources to encourage your family to love like Jesus together. Register your family HERE to join our Lenten Lunch.
As we practice loving like Jesus during the upcoming season of Lent, may our lights grow brighter and attract others into the saving arms of God. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine…let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!