I was taking the time to reflect upon the Lenten reflections, and words that are offered during services and mass. Of course the words offered are desired to fill the spirit and soul with spiritual nourishment. But I wondered if the words offered should be taken as an absolute? In other words – are never open to question? Maybe respectful questioning is possible? This is what came to mind especially when I thought about Jesus’ crown of thorns as compared to the crown of victory one receives from winning a title or a championship.
The symbol and memory of suffering from Jesus’ crown is derived from great pain and agony from simply desiring to tell the truth, which is also significant and relevant for the Lenten season. I wasn’t sure if this was an appropriate comparison to make for receiving an honor, medal, prize or for a victory.
This is especially because during the time of the Ancient Greeks, Olympians were awarded a crown made from olive branches. This act reveals an inherent connection of winning as God-Given. We can connect this to present day, because keeping God in our lives , acts of belief are derived from faith in God, which can be essentially an attribute to winning. Thus, the suffering, endurance and hard work that one must go through to receive a title.
I felt that this was important to offer this view because not everyone of faith will possess the capacity to become a saint, nun, priest and so on. But this does not mean that one cannot submit as a person of faith in any kind of manner, nor does it mean that one is faithless. Sometimes it is important for us to find a balance, because as humans we are called to be faithful as well as to live for the sake of God. To perform our daily act of living, our survival to ultimately thrive as God also wants to accept as we are.
I was inspired to take the following image yesterday as I decided to wear a hairband as I was thinking and reflecting upon these words that I have written and shared with you all.
Notes | These thoughts were originally hand-written on March 4th 2021.
My Thoughts To Share With Love & Kindness! 🙂
{HEART'S, FOREVER!} 
