Reflective Moments Moments Reflective Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph
February 2011
The purpose of Reflective Moments is to offer you a way to incorporate the spirit of Saint Angela Merici into your own lives. We hope that it enriches you spiritually.
By Sister Marietta Wethington, OSU
hen I sat down to write this, my eyes – and my heart – were delighted by a beautiful snowfall. The words that popped into my mind were those of Isaiah: “Though your sins be like scarlet they may become white as snow; though they be crimson red they may become white as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) I love the snow. We who live in Kentucky don’t often see a lot of it, so I am always grateful when we are lucky enough to have it. Oh yes, I know it is inconvenient and can be dangerous. Our awareness must be heightened when we walk or drive in the snow. We must take special care not to make any hasty moves that might throw us off balance when we are walking or cause our car to go into a spin when we are driving. If I fall, I may need to call 911. If my car spins out of control, I need my AAA card handy. What does this have to do with sins being scarlet and made white as snow? I see a connection. If I do not live in awareness and am not mindful of my actions, I can easily speak words that are harmful or behave in ways that hurt others. It is then that I must go with Angela to the feet of Jesus and hear him say, “I can make your sins white as snow.” The forgiveness and love of Jesus will take away my sins and wrongdoings. When snow stays around too long, it loses its beauty and becomes dirty and ugly. Just as the warmth of the sun will melt the snow and take away the unsightliness, the “scarlet” of my sins will be made “white” by the warmth of Jesus’ love. My sins will disappear and my soul will be “white as snow.” My reflection leads me to exclaim that of all the artists, God is the best and of all the lovers, God is the greatest. Thank you, God, for this morning’s snow. Continued on back
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1/26/2011 6:11:15 PM