Every year, thousands of pumpkins are transformed into jack-o’-lanterns for Halloween. It’s a fun, messy process, but it’s a lot like how God loves and cares for us: He scrapes out all the stringy, seedy goop of sin and shame and fills us with the light of Christ.
Here’s a meditation all ages can use during your pumpkin-carving session:
Open our minds to receive your word: Carve the top opening of the pumpkin.
Clear our hearts of pain, regret, hate and anxiety. Clear out the innards.
Open our eyes so we can see you alive in the world. Carve out the eyes.
Awaken our senses so we are aware of the goodness around us. Carve out a nose and ears.
Open our mouths to share your message. Carve out a mouth.
Let your light shine in all we say and do. Put a light inside your pumpkin.
This article appeared in the October/November issue of Northwest Catholic magazine. Read the rest of the issue here.