The saying, “at the heart of the matter” has been traveling around in my mind and heart for a while. The experience probably started ever since my Christmas amaryllis began to bloom. The amaryllis is pictured above and had five blossoms this year. My takeaway reflection was the saying “at the heart of the matter” every time I looked at the blossoms. This reflection led me to the inspiration — a call for a brave heart and a free and peaceful spirit.

Since I wasn’t exactly sure of the saying’s meaning I decided to “google” it and found the following.

“At the heart of the matter means the most essential, central, or crucial part of an issue or problem. It refers to the core, fundamental, or most important aspect often used when cutting through distractions to focus on the key point.”

Ah yes, one would need a brave heart and a free and peaceful spirit to be able to cut through all the distractions to come to the most essential issue.

So, I wondered what had brought me to this point in my life journey.

I remember that as a child the essential part of Lent was all about what I was going to “give up”. It was all about fasting, no candy, extra prayers, and purple covered statues at the end of Lent. 

As I have aged and hopefully grown in my understanding and spiritual life I have come to realize that maybe Lent is more about “giving of” than about “giving up”. Maybe taking a look at how I use my time, talent, and treasure is how Lent leads me to a change in what I do with my life. So, how do I use that brave heart and free and peaceful spirit to stretch myself beyond myself with compassion and care toward others?

I smiled as I realized that there are many opportunities all around me, I just need to be brave enough to take them on. To name a few:

1.  The parish I attend participates in an emergency overflow warming shelter when the full shelter is full. We are only open when the temperature is below 10 degrees. It has been busy lately.

2. Six times a year the parish provides a Sunday evening meal for the people at the adult shelter in town. Volunteers are needed to provide food and work the meal.

3.  The night before the Super Bowl this year the parish is having a “Soup with Snoop” (the parish priest’s dog). Money earned will go to the St. Joseph Food Pantry in town. People can have their pictures taken with Snoop. I am taking the pictures.

4.  Every Tuesday there is “Grab and Go” at the parish. This is an opportunity for people to gather for lunch. Non Perishable food is available for those who are in need to take it along on the journey. 

5. In the past two years I have done 4 basket making classes inviting people to explore the creative inside of themselves and make something beautiful.

Just some of so many ways to get at the “Heart” of the matter. I am called to keep my eyes and heart open and ready to be present to others in whatever way possible and in doing so grow that brave heart and free and peaceful spirit.

A blessed Lent to you all!

– Netty Johnson, SSND