We begin the season of Lent by acknowledging our sins and admitting our faults. Rather than blame others or hide from our shortcomings, we place ashes on our foreheads as a sign and confession that we need Jesus to receive forgiveness and mercy.
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Jesus uses a child to teach the disciples how to live with trusting simplicity. When we are tempted to seek positions of favor and power, we are directed instead to take the Lord’s hand and follow his lead.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 7th Week of the Year
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St. Peter Damian, pray for us!
After the disciples fail, Jesus drives out a demon from a little child. He later explains to them about the crucial role of prayer in the life of faith.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 7th Week of the Year
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Here are some of the powerful themes that surface in the 1st Sunday of Lent.
1st Reading – Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7
Psalm – 51:3-6,12-13,17
2nd Reading – Romans 5:12-19
Gospel – Matthew 4:1-11
Mass Readings – 1st Sunday of Lent
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It’s (in my pastoral opinion) the toughest teaching of Jesus, and it challenges us to call down help from Heaven to carry it out. May we honestly consider who is difficult to love in our lives today and strive with the Lord’s help to love…even our enemies.
Mass Readings – 7th Sunday of the Year
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The Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that “faith is the realization of what is hoped for, and evidence of things not seen.” May our faith be strengthened by God’s grace, so that we might persevere in times of struggle and strife.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 6th Week of the Year
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Note: ASH WEDNESDAY is next week! How do you want to your faith in Christ to grow? Take this time now to reflect on the practical things you want to do to make this your best Lent ever.
As the people began to reject the Lord’s injunction to spread out over the earth, their desire to congregate together and build a tower to the heavens reveals their pride. May we take the lesson to heart and humbly acknowledge this nasty sin whenever it surfaces in our souls.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 6th Week of the Year
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Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order, pray for us!
Note: ASH WEDNESDAY is next week, and in preparation for Lent perhaps we might want to do a thorough Examination of Conscience.
God blesses Noah and makes a covenant. May we see God’s blessings abound in our own lives as we turn to the Lord.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 6th Week of the Year
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Note: ASH WEDNESDAY is next week. Take this time to consider the blessings in life right now and determine how we might live them in the holy season of Lent.
As dry land reappears, Noah leaves the ark and makes an offering to God.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 6th Week of the Year
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Note: ASH WEDNESDAY is one week away; take some time over these next few days to consider how you want to enter into this powerful spiritual season.
As God prepares to flood the earth and rid it of all wickedness, Noah finds favor with the Lord and enters the ark with his family and the animals.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 6th Week of the Year
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St. Cyril and St. Methodius, pray for us!
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