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David Mest sent me this from Seton Hall University. As you may know, he served on the faculty there until his recent retirement. Seton Hall is a great Roman Catholic University. The following words are helpful and I thought some variety from my content and style might be useful and helpful in your journey in Lent. The message from Seton Hall was titled, “What’s the speed limit?” Here is the instruction:


"There's nothing faster than slow."
Dr. Seuss

The Cat in the Hat
Could you slow down a little?
Maybe even just ten minutes a day?
Just to breathe.
Maybe pray a favorite prayer.
But nice and slow.
Like you know somebody's listening.
Prayer.
It's how we roll in Lent.



I love this. The Bible passage “Be still and know that I am God” comes to mind. That passage is from Psalm 46 which exalts God and his awesome and unconquerable power. We are urged to be still in the face of that. God’s power and love surround us. Jesus is keeping his promise to be with us always. The Bible encourages us to shout out the praise of God – but exhorts us at other times to be still.

Dr. Seuss wrote “there is nothing faster than slow.” In Lent we put the brakes on. We pull over the curb and let our faith be deepened and the Spirit fuel us. I love the exhortation to pray nice and slow “like you know someone is listening.” God is listening. He hears you. Don’t ever forget that he WANTS to hear you.

“Just to breathe.” The Hebrew word ruach and the Greek word pneuma, words for “spirit,” also mean “wind” and “breath”.

The hymn says, “Breathe on me, breath of God, Fill me with life anew.
That I may love what thou dost love, And do what Thou wouldst do.”(Edwin Hatch)

That won’t happen if we are racing around.

Mahatma Gandhi said, “Life is not measured in kilometers per hour.”

Please join me in prayer. “Lord help us to go fast when it is appropriate to speed, such as when we see someone in need. Let us make haste to worship and adore your holy name. But when you need us to slow down, help us to wait upon you. Help us in our prayer lives and give us the confidence that we are in touch with you. ‘Breathe on me breath of God, So Shall I never die. But live with Thee the perfect life Of thine eternity.’ We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen”