Lenten Reflection for February 19th

Once there was a contest in which a king offered a prize to an artist who could best paint a depiction of ‘peace’. Many artists participated and submitted their masterpieces.

Among the paintings, two stood out in particular. One picture was of a calm lake, surrounded by majestic, snow-capped mountains with a calm, blue sky and fluffy clouds overhead.

The picture was exceptional. Most of those looking over the paintings from different artists thought that this painting was the best among all others.

But the king had another winner in mind. To everyone’s surprise, the painting that won was also of a mountain, but the painting was more plain and rugged than the other piece.

The sky was stormy and looked angry because there was lightning. It was exactly the opposite of what peace should look like. The others thought that maybe the artist submitted a wrong painting showing a tumultuous storm rather than a peaceful landscape.

What the others didn’t notice was when looking closely at the painting, there was a tiny bush growing in the cracks of a rock. In that bush, there was a nest and in the midst of the stormy weather, the bird sat at peace in her nest.

Where do we find peace when our lives are in the midst of storms? Praying for an increase of the gift of Wisdom can help to calm our heart.

Saint Paul reminds us of this in his letter to the Philippians, “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

When we seek and ask for Wisdom from the Lord, our heart will grow in assurance from the Holy Spirit in knowing that God’s ways are good, His path for us straight and foundation firm.

Jesus, we trust in you!

God bless you.