Colossians: and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator.
Isn't this what we want, clothing ourselves with a new self? Isn't this what Lent is all about? If we release something from our lives, some habit or pattern that we know does not serve us in the long run, with Easter we become our new self.
Lent and Advent are times of reflection, times to look at those things that no longer serve us; where we rid ourselves of that whatever it is that is holding us back from our true selves. Sometimes we choose to add something to our lives instead of removing something, and that can be just as powerful.
I like to look at Lent and Advent as times in which to better myself, whether it be giving up judgment or offering blessings to passersby. By offering blessings to each passerby, I don't have time to worry about what was going on in my life, and therefore, being able to stay in the present moment, where God/Spirit resides.
I like to imagine that God's blessings are similar, that blessings are being poured out in abundance, raining down on the earth. Blessings of abundance and unconditional love.
March 10
Matthew: Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Mark: for he had cured many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon him to touch him.
Luke: And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?”
John: Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
Acts: and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Romans: as it is written: “There is no one who is righteous, not even one;
1 Corinthians: According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it.
2 Corinthians: Indeed, what once had glory has lost its glory because of the greater glory;
Galatians: For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the things written in the book of the law.”
Ephesians: so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
Philippians: I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death,
Colossians: and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator.
1 Thessalonians: Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.
2 Thessalonians: For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat.
1 Timothy: And let them first be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as deacons.
2 Timothy: Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,
Titus: After a first and second admonition, have nothing more to do with anyone who causes divisions,
Hebrews: for forty years. Therefore I was angry with that generation, and I said, ‘They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known my ways.’
James: From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.
1 Peter: For “Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit;
2 Peter: But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.
1 John: The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love their brothers and sisters.
Revelation: Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.