March 12 - The Blessing of Affliction

Saint Isaak of Syria asked and answered the following question;

Q: “What is a merciful heart?”

A: “It is a heart on fire for the whole of creation, for humanity, for the birds, for the animals, for demons and for all that exists. At the recollection of the sight of them, such a person’s eyes overflow with tears owing to the fervor of compassion that grips their heart, as a result of their deep mercy, their heart aches, and cannot bear to observe any injury or slightest suffering of anything in creation.”

Poet Scott Cairns reminds us that Lent is the season of self-assigned affliction. We voluntarily quiet and soften our hearts. We prayerfully consider that through the affliction of Jesus, all things are made new.

Amen