Hi, The liturgical season of Lent begins today. It offers us an opportunity to take a hard look at what we do, how we act, and who we, at our core, really are. Lent is a time to listen to ourselves, the family, community and world around us, and Jesus Christ, whom we follow. I thought this Lenten Reflection (from an anonymous source) would be a wonderful gift to share with you as we in Newark Presbytery attempt to be faithful in this scary, wonderful, uncertain time in which we live, and so I pass it on. Pause for a minute. Read. Listen to the Spirit. Be transformed. LENTEN REFLECTION Fast from judging others; feast on the presence of God within each person. Fast from focusing on differences; feast on the unity of all life. Fast from apparent darkness and gloom; feast on the reality of light and enthusiasm. Fast from thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God. Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude. Fast from anger; feast on patience. Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism. Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation. Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives. Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness. Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others. Fast from discouragement; feast on hope. Fast from facts that depress; feast on promises that inspire. Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence. Fast from shadows of sorrow; feast on the brilliance of Resurrection! On the journey with you, Kevin