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The Jewish people tear their garments when someone dies. They do so for two reasons. First, they do so because it became a way to express deep emotion without hurting oneself. More importantly, it was to show the heart, which was sad and broken by the death of a loved one. In the first reading today, the prophet Joel tells us to rend or tear our hearts, not our garments. What does he mean?I think he is suggesting that we need to tear our hearts so that God can heal the brokenness in them. God heals our hearts from the infection from sin. Today begins Lent. How will you rend your heart in what you give up or taken on? How will what you do for Lent open your hearts more fully to loving God and loving neighbor.
