Lent, Day Forty-Two, Tuesday of Passion Week

Lent, Day Forty-Two, Tuesday of Passion Week
Jesus, in whom the fullness of God dwells, has become our home. By making his home in us he allows us to make our home in him. By entering into the intimacy of our innermost self he offers us the opportunity to enter into his own intimacy with God. By choosing us as his preferred dwelling place he invites us to choose him as as our preferred dwelling place. This is the mystery of the incarnation. It is beautifully expressed during the Eucharist when the priest pours a little water into the wine, saying: "By the mingling of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of him who humbled himself to share in our humanity."

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Intimacy, Fecundity, and Ectasy in Christian Perspective, pg_

Scripture:
¹ The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Psalm 23:1-3, 5-6

PRAYER
Everlasting God, you have offered me an intimate place that I can call "home" where I can rest and be healed. Help me accept this true home, where feelings and emotions can be expressed without censorship. Let this home be a place where it is good to be; a house where love is always present. Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
Remember that the fronds waved in joy by those welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday become the ashes of death and dust: the source of the marks that are put on our foreheads at the beginning of Lent. Use this day to examine your own feelings about death. During this week in which Christ faced his death, you may wish to examine your own mortality.

Lent, Day Forty-One, Monday of Passion Week

Lent, Day Forty-One, Monday of Passion Week
We know that it is important to spend time in solitude. We even start looking forward to this strange period of uselessness. This desire for solitude is often the first sign of prayer, the first indication that the presence of God's Spirit no longer remains unnoticed. As we empty ourselves of our many worries, we come to know not only with our mind but also with our heart that we never were really alone, that God's Spirit was with us all along... The pains and struggles we encounter in our solitude thus become a way to hope, because our hope is not based on something that will happen after sufferings are over, but on the real presence of God's healing Spirit in the midst of these sufferings.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Making All Things New: An Invitation To The Spiritual Life, pg 82

Scripture:

5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we^[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we^[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we^[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Romans 5:1-5

PRAYER
God of glory, I pray that you will help me build that inner solitude, that secret place of peace, apart from the world, apart from life's pain and struggles. Grant me the spiritual strength to wear the outer world as a loose garment, one that can be quickly shed If my inner life is strong, if it is lived with you, nothing in the world will seriously upset me. As I practice finding this place of silence, let me cherish it as a place to hear your Word and from which to face the world. Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
This day is the time to actively enter into the Passion of Christ. Jesus did not expect his life on earth to go smoothly just because his Father loved him. Just the opposite occurred, out of the Father's great love he sent his only-begotten Son to an ignominious death on the cross for our benefit. Then we must acknowledge that love is not free of pain, hurt, humiliation, and death. Inventory your sins and find true sorrow for the deeds that brought Jesus to this place of crucifixion.

Lent, Day Forty, Passion Sunday

Lent, Day Forty, Passion Sunday
We spend a lot of energy wondering who can be blamed for our own or other people's tragedies--our parents, ourselves, the immigrants, the Jews, the gays, the blacks, the fundamentalists, the Catholics, ...
But Jesus doesn't allow us to solve our own or other people's problems through blame. The challenge he poses is to discern in the midst of our darkness the light of God. In Jesus' vision everything, even the greatest tragedy, can become an occasion in which God's works can be revealed.
How radically new my life would be if I were willing to move beyond blaming to proclaiming the works of God... All humans beings have their tragedies... We seldom have much control over them. But do we choose to live them as occasions to blame, or as occasions to see God at work?

Henri J.M. Nouwen
The Sabbatical Journey, pg 80

Scripture:
As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. ² His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
³ “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. ⁴ As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. ⁵ While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
John 9:1-5

PRAYER
My God and my refuge, strip away my habit of blaming either others or myself-for any big or little tragedies in my life. Challenge me to move beyond the "blame game" and to understand that these misfortunes and setbacks are not under my control. Teach me instead to live through these events and see them as fruitful opportunities for faith and love. Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
Review past episodes of your life when you were determined to blame others for destructive events. Did you finally acknowledge that blaming is a way to avoid seeing God's hand at work in your life? Are you still relying on blame as a "way out" today? If so, in what way?Are there community "scapegoats" who are blamed for disastrous occurrences? How can those whom we set up as scapegoats be exonerated? You may also want to observe the tradition of eating figs on Palm Sunday and decorating your home with pussy willows. Or you may wish to select and address Easter cards.

======

The Donkey

By G. K. Chesterton

When fishes flew and forests walked   

   And figs grew upon thorn,   

Some moment when the moon was blood   

   Then surely I was born.

With monstrous head and sickening cry

   And ears like errant wings,   

The devil’s walking parody   

   On all four-footed things.

The tattered outlaw of the earth,

   Of ancient crooked will;

Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,   

   I keep my secret still.

Fools! For I also had my hour;

   One far fierce hour and sweet:   

There was a shout about my ears,

   And palms before my feet. 

Lent, Day Thirty-Nine, Fifth Saturday of Lent

Lent, Day Thirty-Nine,  Fifth Saturday of Lent
Prayer requires that we stand in God's presence with open hands, naked and vulnerable, proclaiming to ourselves and to others that without God we can do nothing. This is difficult in a climate where the predominant counsel is, "Do your best and God will do the rest." When life is divided into "our best" and "God's rest," we have turned prayer into a last resort to be used only when all our own resources are depleted. Then even the Lord has become the victim of our impatience. Discipleship does not mean to use God when we can no longer function ourselves. On the contrary, it means to recognize that we can do nothing at all, but that God can do everything through us.

Henri J.M. Nouwen, DOnald P MacNeil, and DOuglas A. Morrison
Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life, pg 78

Scripture:
⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7

PRAYER
Three-personed God, it truly frightens me to recognize that I am totally dependent on you. I know that my life is not my own, though I arrogantly act as if I am in control On the contrary, it is you who determines my destiny. Ease my worries over my dependency on you, soften my impatience with your plans for me, and help me to acknowledge that you can do all things through me. Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
Place a bowl of water on the dining room table or somewhere else accessible.Before or after meals, or when entering or leavingthe premises, each member of the household can dip a hand in the water in memory of his or her baptism in Christ.

Lent, Day Thirty-Eight, Fifth Friday of Lent

Lent, Day Thirty-Eight, Fifth Friday of Lent
When your life is more and more becoming a prayer, you notice that you are always busy converting yourself and gaining an ever-deeper understanding of your fellow [human beings]. You notice, too, that prayer is the pulse of the world you live-in. If you are really praying, you can't help but have critical questions about the great problems the world is grappling with, and you can't get rid of the idea that a conversion is not only necessary for yourself and your neighbor, but for the entire human community. This conversion of the world means a "turning around" a revolution which can lead to renewal.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
With Open Hands, pg 76

Scripture:
⁸ But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹ Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. ¹¹ Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Colossians 3:8-11

PRAYER
God forever glorious, grant me the grace to be counted among your chosen ones, those who are beloved by you. Do this for me in spite of my tendency to cling to my old and sinful practices. Help me to turn my life into an ongoing prayer that smoothes the way not only for my own transformation but also for the renewal of the whole human community. Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
Find stories of true personal transformation that also spill over into a conversion for others. Perhaps these stories might come from the lives of the saints, from the history of humanitarian efforts, or from personal witness. Record these stories for your own inspiration and add to them periodically.

Lent, Day Thirty-Seven, Fifth Thursday of Lent

Lent, Day Thirty-Seven, Fifth Thursday of Lent
How do I open my closed hands? Certainly not by violence. Not by a compulsive decision. Perhaps you can find a way to prayer in the words of the angel to the frightened shepherds--Don' be afraid of him who wants to enter your space where you live or to let him see what you are clinging to so anxiously. Don't be afraid to show the clammy coin which will buy so little anyway. Don't be afraid to offer your hate, bitterness, disappointment to him who reveals himself as love. Even if you have little to show, don't be afraid to let it be seen. You keep catching yourself wanting to deceive the other by putting on a semblance of beauty, by holding back everything dirty and spoiled, by clearing a little path that looks very proper. But that is compulsive, forced and artificial.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
With Open Hands, pg 74

Scripture:
¹² I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, ¹³ and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man,^[a] dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.
¹⁷ When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. ¹⁸ I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
Revelation 1:12-13, 17-18

PRAYER
God of openness and truth, when I make a clenched hand, let me see it as a symbol of violence and anger. Make my hands open as promises of friendship and love. Open my heart as well so that it is transparent and honest. Let me reveal myself in love and let me no longer rely on the pretense of perfection. Instead, let my sins reveal my humanity. Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
Instead of focusing on the faults of others (which may be mirrors of one's own failings), make a humble assessment of your own acts of greed, selfishness, and unkindness. Make amends to those you have hurt.

Lent, Day Thirty-Six, Fifth Wednesday of Lent-

Lent, Day Thirty-Six, Fifth Wednesday of Lent-
You are Christian only
   so long as you look forward to a new world,
   so long as you constantly pose critical questions to the society you live in,
   so long as you emphasize the need of conversion both for yourself and for the world,
   so long as you in no way let yourself become established in a situation of seeming calm,
   so long as you stay unsatisfied with the status quo and keep saying that a new world is yet to come. 
You are Christian only when you believe that you have a role to play in the realization of this new kingdom, and when you urge everyone you meet with a holy unrest to make haste so that the promise might soon be fulfilled.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
With Open hands, pg 72

Scripture:
 ²² News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. ²³ When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. ²⁴ He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
²⁵ Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶ and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
Acts 11:22-26

PRAYER
Giving and forgiving God, I have called myself your disciple but perhaps this title is truly undeserved. I want to live in comfort even though a life of sacrifice is needed for the world's renewal. I too easily turn a blind eye to injustice and put the oppressed and forgotten into the category of "someday."I hide behind the presumed safety of the status quo, even though you have asked that I work for a new kingdom. Even so, I ask your help to be converted from a member of the present secular society to a willing worker for a new order, and new life, and a new truth. Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
In preparation for Easter, plan to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation.

Lent, Day Thirty-Five, Fifth Tuesday of Lent

Lent, Day Thirty-Five, Fifth Tuesday of Lent
This all-pervasive competition, which reaches into the smallest corners of our relationships. prevents us from entering into full solidarity with each other, and stands in the way of our being compassionate. We prefer to keep compassion on the periphery of our competitive lives. Being compassionate would require giving up dividing lines and relinquishing differences and distinctions. And that would mean losing our identities. This makes it clear why the call to be compassionate is so frightening and evokes such deep resistance.

Henri J.M. Nouwen, Donald P McNeil, Douglas A. Morrison
Compassion: A Reflection on Christian Life, pg_

Scripture:
³⁵ Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
³⁶ “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
³⁷ They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
³⁸ “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
⁴¹ When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. ⁴² Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ⁴³ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴ and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.

Mark 10:35-38, 41-44

PRAYER
Guardian God, I am often caught up in competitive games-who is better, who is richer, who is nicer, who is more attractive. This competition keeps me separate from others, making me a loner rather than a comrade and a person in solidarity with others. Help me to live a life where distinctions fade away and differences are downplayed, where I become a lover of all rather than a lover of self.Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
Show compassion by choosing to practice one of the spiritual works of mercy. They are as follows: To admonish the sinner, to instruct the ignorant, to counsel the doubtful, to comfort the sorrowful, to bear wrongs patiently, to forgive all injuries, to pray for the living and the dead.

 

Lent, Day Thirty-Four, Fifth Monday of Lent

Lent, Day Thirty-Four, Fifth Monday of Lent
Let me retain innocence and simplicity in the midst of this complex world. I realize that I have to be informed, that I have to study, the many problems facing the world, and that I have to try to understand as well as possible the dynamics of our contemporary society. But what really counts is that all this information, knowledge and insight allow me to speak more clearly and unambiguously your truthful word. Do not allow evil powers to seduce me with the complexities of the world's problems, but give the strength to think clearly, speak freely, and act boldly in your service.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
A Cry For Mercy: Prayers From the Genesee, pg 68

Scripture:
¹⁶ “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. ¹⁷ Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. ¹⁸ On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹ But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, ²⁰ for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Matthew 10:16-20

PRAYER
Holy God, I sometimes lack the courage to live out my Christian convictions, especially as I confront a world in which knowledge is often corrupted and information is twisted to fit the circumstances. All these complexities can overshadow the Good News of the Gospels and manipulate this world of ours toward disaster. Grant me the courage to show the dove of innocence and simplicity in a world so full of serpents. Give me strength to remain detached from the world's destructiveness and 'help me to proclaim the goodness of God with boldness and assurance. Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
Pray the rosary today, meditating on the sorrowful mysteries If possible, give a rosary to someone as a gift, along with instructions on how to pray it, if necessary.

Lent, Day Thirty-Three, Fifth Sunday of Lent

Lent, Day Thirty-Three, Fifth Sunday of Lent
The great challenge is living your wounds through instead of thinking them through. It is better to cry than to worry, better to feel your wounds deeply than to understand them, better to let them enter into your silence than to talk about them. The choice you face constantly is whether you are taking your wounds to your head or your heart. In your head you can analyze them, find causes and consequences, and coin words to speak and write about them. But no final healing is likely to come from that source. You need to let your wounds go down to your hear. Then you can live through them and discover that they will not destroy you.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey Through Anguish to Freedom, pg 66

Scripture:
20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
      22 “He committed no sin,
            and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
1 Peter 2:20-23

PRAYER
God of wholeness and healing, I know that I am afraid of pain and acutely conscious of being harmed and hurt. Help me avoid my pattern of cause-and-effect, of rationalizing my wounds. Instead, let the soothing oil of your mercy heal my wounds; let me live through the pain and recognize that your joy is truly on the other side. Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
Pick one of the corporal works of mercy to practice over the next few days. The corporal works of mercy are as follows: To feed the hungry, to give drink to the thirsty,  to clothe the naked, to visit the imprisoned, to shelter the homeless, to visit the sick, to bury the dead.

Lent, Day Thirty-Two, Fourth Saturday of Lent

Lent, Day Thirty-Two, Fourth Saturday of Lent
It is clear that we are usually surrounded by so much ionner and outer noise that it is hard to truely hear our God when he is speaking to us. We have often become deaf, unable to know when God calls us and unable to understand in which direction he calls us. Thus our lives have become absurd. In the word "absurd", we find the Latin word "surdus", which means "deaf". A spiritual life requires the discipline because we need to learn to listen to God, who constantly speaks but whom we seldom hear. When, however, we learn to listen , our lives become obedient lives. The word "obedient" comes from the Latin word "audire" which means "to listen".

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Making All Things New: An Invitation to the Spiritual Life, pg_

Scripture:

¹¹ The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. ¹³ When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
¹⁴ He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
1 Kings 19:11-14

PRAYER
Lord, God of ail, I strongly believe that you have illumined my soul with the divine life of your grace. Though you have walked by my side, suddenly I feel that your voice has disappeared. I feel alone and abandoned. I seem to be searching for you in ail the wrong places. Help me to find your voice again-not in the dramatic events of fire and earthquake-but in the silence of my own soul. Please answer soon, Lord. I am waiting. Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
Take time to write a brief autobiography of your spiritual journey
Include the good and the bad. Record especially those times when God's voice was most clear and those times when you were overcome with deafness to his message.

Lent, Day Thirty-First, Fourth Friday of Lent

Lent, Day Thirty-First, Fourth Friday of Lent
We seldom realize fully that we are sent to fulfill God-given tasks. We act as if we have to choose how, where and with whom to live. We act as if we were simply dropped down in creation and have to decide how to entertain ourselves until we die. But we were sent into the world by God, just as Jesus was. Once we start living our lives with that conviction, we will soon have what we were sent to do.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Bread for the Journey: A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith, pg 62

Scripture:

¹⁶ Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life,
    but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.

¹⁷ Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,
    and he will reward them for what they have done.

¹⁸ Discipline your children, for in that there is hope;
    do not be a willing party to their death.

¹⁹ A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty;
    rescue them, and you will have to do it again.

²⁰ Listen to advice and accept discipline,
    and at the end you will be counted among the wise.

²¹ Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.Proverbs 19:16-21 

PRAYER
All-wise God, our Father, I have spent a significant amount of my time on this planet finding my earthly vocation-an effort filled with day planners, multitasking, career striving, and celebrations of human accomplishments  This search is really one of the huffing and puffing of a pride- filled competitor. Let me instead find my true vocation-one that is grounded in you. Remind me frequently that human plans are hollow, but the purposes of the Lord are paramount. Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
Examine your current role in life,your career. Devise one way to bring Christ closer to you in your work environment. Implement this reorientation over the course of the next few weeks.

Lent, Day Thirty, Fourth Thursday of Lent

Lent, Day Thirty, Fourth Thursday of Lent
Boredom is a sentiment of disconnectedness. While we are busy with many things, we wonder if what we do makes any real difference. Life presents itself as a random and unconnected series of activities and events over which we have little or no control. To be bored, therefore, does not mean that we have nothing to do, but that we question the value of the things we are so busy doing. The great paradox of our time is that many of us are busy and bored at the same time... While we can hardly keep up with our many tasks and obligations, we are not so sure that it would make any difference if we did nothing at all.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Making All Things New: An Invitation to the Spiritual Life, pg 60

Scripture:
³⁸ As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one.^[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42

PRAYER
Dearest Father, help me to recognize the boredom of a pointlessly busy life filled with disconnects from the grace and energy needed to fulfill your purpose. While Christ has given his life for my salvation, I seem to be lost on the track of an alternate universe that focuses on mindless activities and needless busy work. Let me not be distracted, as was Martha by her many self-imposed tasks, but let me know when it is time just to sit and listen to your voice. Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
Give up an extraneous task this Lent and concentrate instead on finding the "better part." Give up one of the ingrained cultural expectations that are external signs of accomplishment. Give up your sleep-walking in favor of a radical effort for God's cause.

Lent, Day Twenty-Nine, Fourth Wednesday of Lent

Lent, Day Twenty-Nine, Fourth Wednesday of Lent
The spiritual life can only be real when it is lived in the midst of the pains and joys of the here and now. Therefore we need to begin with a careful look at the way we think, speak, feel and act... in order to become more fully aware of our hunger for the Spirit. As long as we have only a vague inner feeling of discontent with our present way of living, and only an indefinite desire for
things spiritual", our lives will continue to stagnate....

Our first task is to dispel this vague, murky feeling of discontent and to look critically at how we are living our lives. This requires honesty, courage, and trust. We must honestly unmask and courageously confront our many self-deceptive games. We must trust that our honesty and courage will lead us not to despair, but to a new heaven and a new earth..

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Making All Things New: An Invitation to the Spiritual Life, pg 58

Scripture:
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6;25-27; 32-33

PRAYER
Beloved God, chase away my melancholy and ennui with the gift of your grace. Let me actively pursue your spiritual gifts instead of putting off this pursuit out of a vague sense of boredom and doubt. Give me the honesty to unmask my many self-deceptive games so that I may strive wholeheartedly for the kingdom of God. Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
In honor of our heavenly Father, feed the birds this Lent
Perhaps create festive decorations of seeds and nuts to attract and feed hungry birds and squirrels. Do not forget to put out fresh water.

Lent, Day Twenty-Eighth, Fourth Tuesday of Lent

Lent, Day Twenty-Eighth, Fourth Tuesday of Lent
Jesus can be called Teacher in the fullest sense of the word precisely because He did not cling to His prerogatives but became one of the many who have to learn. His life makes it clear to us that we do not need weapons, that we do not need to hide ourselves or play competitive games with each other. Only he who is not afraid to show his weaknesses and who allows himself to be touched by the tender hand of the Teacher will be able to be a real student.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Creative Ministry, pg 56

Scripture:
¹⁷ As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
¹⁸ “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’^[a]”
²⁰ “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
²¹ Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
²² At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Mark 10:17-22

PRAYER
Teacher God, touch my heart with understanding so that I may discern your perfect ways and follow them. Many times your challenges seem overwhelming to me, and I slink silently away from them. Develop my capabilities so that I can follow you in spite of the sacrifices that you demand. Give me the grace to become a wise learner, one who is not a fiercely competitive game player but one who can humbly value and follow your truth. Amen.
 

LENTEN ACTION
Saint Antony, father of the monastic way of living, heard Jesus' words to "sell what you have, give the money to the poor, and come follow me" and did exactly that. He ended up alone in the desert. While we may be more like the young man than Saint Antony, at least make one significant contribution this Lent to aid the poor.

Lent, Day Twenty-Seven, FourthMonday of Lent

Lent, Day Twenty-Seven, Fourth Monday of Lent 
My second suggestion for claiming your blessedness is the cultivation of presence. By presence I mean attentiveness to the blessings that come to you day after day, year after year. The problem of modern living is that we are too busy... to notice that we are being blessed. Often, people say good things about us, but we brush them aside with remarks such as, "Oh, don't mention it." These remarks may seem to be expressions of humility, but they are in fact, signs that we are not truly present to receive the blessings that are given. It is not easy for us, busy people, to receive a blessing... to stop, listen, pay attention and receive gracefully what is offered to us.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World, pg 54

Scripture:
¹⁷ “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. ¹⁸ But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. ¹⁹ Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, ²⁰ and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. ²¹ Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.
Acts 3:17-21

PRAYER
All-powerful God, help me to recognize your glory in every blessing you have bestowed on me, in all that you have created, and especially in other human beings, no matter what their state or circumstance. When I find myself failing to notice the beauty of a moonlit night, the abundance of harvest fruits and vegetables, the perfection of clouds against a blue sky,slow me down and give me gratitude and reverence for all your gifts. Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
Slowdown today and savor every moment God has given you.

Lent, Day Twenty-Six, Fourth Sunday of Lent

Lent, Day Twenty-Six, Fourth Sunday of Lent
Nicodemus admired Jesus, but was afraid to lose the respect of his own colleagues. I am becoming more and more aware of the importance of looking at these fearful sympathizers because that is the group I find myself mostly gravitating toward.

I love Jesus but want to hold on to my own friends even when they do not lead me closer to Jesus. I love Jesus but want to hold on to my own independence even when that independence brings me no real freedom... I love Jesus but do not want to give up my writing plans, travel plans, and speaking plans, even when these plans are often more to my glory than to the glory of God.

So I am like Nicodemus, who came by night, said safe things about Jesus to his colleagues, and expressed his guilt by bringing to the grave more myrrh and aloes (John 19:39) than needed or desired.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey, pg 52

Scripture:
⁴⁰ On hearing his words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.”
⁴¹ Others said, “He is the Messiah.”
Still others asked, “How can the Messiah come from Galilee? ⁴² Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?” ⁴³ Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. ⁴⁴ Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.
⁴⁵ Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and the Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring him in?”
⁴⁶ “No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards replied.
⁴⁷ “You mean he has deceived you also?” the Pharisees retorted. ⁴⁸ “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? ⁴⁹ No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.”
⁵⁰ Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, ⁵¹ “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?”
⁵² They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.”John 7:40-52

PRAYER
Dearest God, help me to evaluate my motivations and actions in the light of your purposes and not be held sway by the advice of friends and opinion makers. Let me look to you rather than to others for guidance, for in setting that priority I learn to renounce my own will and keep peace with you. Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
Make a list of those things and people who most influence you, for example, friends, family, media, public opinion, and so on. Weed out one of those influences that are most unhealthy. In addition, this Lent make it a point to stand up for one unpopular but morally sound point of view.

====
The Fourth Sunday in Lent
The Collect.
GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of thy grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Epistle. Galatians iv. 21. TELL me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not: break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.


The Gospel. St. John vi. 1. JESUS went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

 

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Hymn Suggestions

Kind maker of the world (office hymn) - Jesu dulcis memoria 56
O food to men wayfaring - O esca viatorum 192
My God, thy table now is spread - Rockingham 203
Humbly I adore thee - Adoro Devote 204
Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness - Schmuecke Dich 210
How wondrous and great thy works - Old Hundred Fourth 260
How wondrous and great thy works - Lyons 260
When all thy mercies, O my God - Durham 297
The King of love my shepherd is - St. Columba 345
The King of love my shepherd is - Dominus regit me 345
O very God of very God - Bangor 442
Lord dismiss us with thy blessing - Sicilian mariners 489
Lord dismiss us with thy blessing - Dismissal 489
O mother dear, Jerusalem - Southwell 584
O mother dear, Jerusalem - Materna 584
Jerusalem, my happy home - Land of Rest 585
Jerusalem, my happy home - Diana 585
O what their joy and their glory must be - O Quanta Qualia 589
There is a blessed home - Beulah 591

 

Lent, Day Twenty-Five, Third Saturday of Lent

Lent, Day Twenty-Five, Third Saturday of Lent
Jesus presents to us the great mystery of the descending way. It is the way of suffering, but also the way to healing. It is the way of humiliation, but also the way to resurrection. It is the way of tears, but of tears that turn into tears of joy...

The descending way of love, the way to the poor, the broken, and oppressed becomes the ascending way of love, the way of joy, peace and new life. The cross is transformed from a sign of defeat into a sign of victory, from a sign of despair into a sign of hope, from a sign of death into a sign of life...

Each one of us has to seek out his or her own descending way of love... The descending way is a way that is concealed in each person's heart. But because it is so seldom walked on, it is often overgrown with weeds. Slowly but surely we have to clear the weeds, open the way, and set out on it unafraid.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Letters to Marc About Jesus, pg 50

Scripture:

 ^4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

 ^5:1To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: ² Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; ³ not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

⁵ In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”

1 Peter 4:12, 5:1-5

PRAYER
God of many mercies, help me find the way of descent the way of humility, of tears, of suffering, of hiddenness. I am often the one who wants to be the "center of attention," the "star of the show,"the "leader of the band;' the "first in line." In a world that values winning above all, I have trouble knowing that you changed the rules, that as the cross is transformed from a sign of death into an emblem of life, I must seek the lowly path in order to reach the heights of eternal happiness. Keep your light  before me always.Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
Give up the upper hand today. Let someone ahead of you in the, checkout line, give someone else the right of way in traffic, give credit to someone else.

Lent, Day Twenty-Four, Third Friday of Lent

Lent, Day Twenty-Four, Third Friday of Lent
ACKNOWLEDGE GOD'S LOVE

The most important  thing you can say about God's love i that God loves us not because of anything we've done to earn that love, but because God, in total freedom, has decided to love us. At first sight, this doesn't seem to be very inspiring; but if you reflect on it more deeply, this thought can affect and influence your life greatly. We're inclined to see our whole existence in terms of quid pro quo. We assume that people will be nice to us if we are nice to them; that they will help us if we help them;... that they will love us if we love the,. And so the conviction is deeply rooted in us that being loved is something you have to earn.... We can scarcely conceive of getting something for nothing.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Letters to Marc About Jesus, pg 48

Scripture:

²⁷ “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹ If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. ³⁰ Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. ³¹ Do to others as you would have them do to you.

 Luke 6:27-31

PRAYER
God most high, please take me back again into your love that I can never earn. I confess that I have failed, and that your forgiveness is wholly undeserved. I am mired in the human belief that love is something I earn, that others will only love me if Lact as if I love them. What can I do with a love that is not rationed, that is boundless, that cannot be withdrawn. I am truly awed. Grant me the grace to accept this gift. Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
Today pray for any who have abused you, pray for your enemies, and return good for evil.

Lent, Day Twenty-Three, Third Thursday of Lent

Lent, Day Twenty-Three,  Third Thursday of Lent 
Jesus challenges us to move in a totally new direction. He asks for a conversion--that is to say, a complete interior turn-around, a transformation... Everything within us seems set against this way. And yet--everytime we take a few steps along it we become aware that something new is happening within us and experience a desire to try another step forward. And so step by step, we come closer to the heart of God, which is the heart of an undiscriminating, always-forgiving, inexhaustible love.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Letters to Marc About Jesus, pg 46

Scripture:
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.
¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Matthew 5:1-2; 7:13-14, 21-23

PRAYER
God of the Narrow Gate, I am often a creature of convenience: convenience foods, convenient access to roads, convenient TV remote controls, convenient drive-up windows, and convenience stores. I know that these and many other aspects of modern life make it easier for me. Even still,I want things and people to change and adapt for my benefit. Help me to remember that the hard and steep way is the path to your house and that I must practice "give and take" rather than the "take and take" of a world revolving around my needs, and wants, my pleasures, my way.Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
Make a list of life's conveniences and "fast" from one or several of them for a day (watching TV without using the remote control or walking up the steps instead of taking the elevator).

Lent, Day Twenty-Two, Third Wednesday of Lent

Lent, Day Twenty-Two, Third Wednesday of Lent
SEEK YOUR TRUE HOME

One emotion was very strong--that was homecoming. Jesus opened his home to me and seemed to say, "Here is where you belong." The words he spoke to his disciples, "In my Father's house there are many places to live in... I am going to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2), became very real. The risen Jesus, who now dwells with his Father, was welcoming me home after a long journey.

 This experience was the realization of my oldest and deepest desires. Since the first moment of consciousness, I have had to desire to be with Jesus. Now I felt his presence in a most tangible way, as if my whose life had come together and I was being enfolded in love. The homecoming had a real quality of return, a return to the womb of God.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Beyond the Mirror: Reflections on Death and Life, pg 44

Scripture:
  You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
² You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³ You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
⁴ Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

  Psalm 139:1-4, 13-16

PRAYER
Indwelling God, you know the truth of me even before I was formed in my mother's womb, you know my thoughts even before I apprehend them, you welcome me home into the warmth of your love even when I do not realize that I am lost. I know myself so little even as you know me so well. I cannot fathom the future, but grant me the grace to appreciate the present in that place where I most belong-in your heart. Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
Practice"letting go" of one aspect of the future which is not in your hands.Spend this dayin mindfulness of eachpresent moment rather than letting your thoughts and plans race ahead of yourself.

Lent, Day Twenty-One, Third Tuesday of Lent

Lent, Day Twenty-One, Third Tuesday of Lent
PREPARE

Life is a long journey of preparation--of preparing oneself to truely die for others. It is a series of little deaths in which we are asked to release many forms of clinging and to move increasingly from needing other to living for them. The many passages we have to make as we grow from childhood to adolescence, from adolescence to adulthood, and from adulthood to old age offer ever new opportunities to choose for ourselves or to choose for others. During these passages, question such as: Do I desire power or service: do I want to be visible or remain hidden; do I strive for a successful career or do I keep following my vocation? keep coming up and confront us with hard choices. In this sense, we can speak about life as a long process of dying to self, so that we will be able to live in the joy of God.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Beyond the Mirror: Reflections on Death and Life, pg42

Scripture: ⁴² The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? ⁴³ It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. ⁴⁴ Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. ⁴⁵ But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. ⁴⁶ The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

⁴⁷ “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. ⁴⁸ But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Luke 12:42-48

PRAYER
God, eternal Father, as I walk my way through this life, I recall that I too easily do what is wrong instead of what is right. But you love me regardless of my sins and infidelities As I struggle on this path, remind me to choose service over power, a true vocation to your Word rather than a successful career, the anonymity of hidden help to others rather than self-aggrandizement. Help me to detach from self so that I may find a true sense of reality. Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
Make an examination of conscience and choose one area to work on and improve with God's help.

Lent, Day Twenty, Third Monday of Lent

Lent, Day Twenty, Third Monday of Lent
It is difficult to confess that perhaps the greatest servicec we can offer to our fellow [human being] is to recieve and allow them the happiness of giving. For much of the happiness in our lives derived from the fact that we can give and though our friends have been willing to receive our gifts, to make them part of their lives, and to allow themselves to become dependent on us through them. We feel happy when we see the picture we gave our friends displayed most advantageously on a wall of the living room. The question is: Would we have given [our friend] the freedom to put it in the attic? ...

As long as we keep living with the wrong supposition that giving is our first task, our scotosis [darkness] cannot be healed, and the most creative insights will stay out of our consciousness.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Creative Ministry, pg 40

Scripture:

33 I Esdras received a charge of the Lord upon the mount Oreb, that I should go unto Israel; but when I came unto them, they set me at nought, and despised the commandment of the Lord.

34 And therefore I say unto you, O ye heathen, that hear and understand, look for your Shepherd, he shall give you everlasting rest; for he is nigh at hand, that shall come in the end of the world.

35 Be ready to the reward of the kingdom, for the everlasting light shall shine upon you for evermore.

36 Flee the shadow of this world, receive the joyfulness of your glory: I testify my Saviour openly.

37 O receive the gift that is given you, and be glad, giving thanks unto him that hath led you to the heavenly kingdom.

 2 Edras 2:33-37

PRAYER
Divine Giver, your generosity is so immense. I see your gifts in the smallest of living things and in the grandest sights of mountains, skies, forests, and seas. In this vast panoply, I am so small, and my offerings are so puny. Yet as I respect and give thanks for your works, let me also be grateful for the gifts given to me by my companions here in this life. Grant me the wisdom to accept these gifts with a pure heart. Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
List the gifts that have been given to you that you have overlooked or minimized. Write a prayer of thanksgiving for all these blessings. Nurture your sincere appreciation and concentrate on grateful receiving.

Lent, Day Nineteen, Third Sunday of Lent

Lent, Day Nineteen, Third Sunday of Lent
A [person] with hope does not get tangled up with concerns for how his wishes will be fulfilled. So, too, his prayer is not directed toward the gift, but toward the one who gives it. His prayer might still contain just as many desires, but ultimately it is not a question of having a wish come true but of expressing an unlimited faith in the giver of all good things... For the prayer of hope it is essential that there are no guarantees asked, no conditions posed, and no proofs demanded, only that you expect everything from the other without binding him.Hope is based on the premise that the other gives only what is good. Hope includes an openness by which you wait for the other to make his loving promise come true, even tough you never know when, where or how this might happen.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
  With Open Hands, pg 38

Scripture:
 ¹⁷ Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. ¹⁸ God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. ¹⁹ We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, ²⁰ where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 6:17-20

PRAYER
Good Shepherd of all, help me to hear your voice of assurance when I am lost and hopeless. Let me find rest and safety in your presence. Though I may be tempted to be full of fear and. self-pity, though I may wish to run away from you, please never give up on me. Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
Establish a "prayer place" in your home. Adorn it with images, books, and music that foster prayer and contemplation Use this spot today and as often as possible in the future.

Lent, Day Eighteen, Second Saturday of Lent

Lent, Day Eighteen, Second Saturday of Lent 
Care for your fellowman means a growing acceptance. This acceptance led Jesus and his disciples to where they didn't want to go, to the cross. This is also the road for the [person] who prays. When you are still young and not yet adult, you want to hold everything in your own hands, but if you have your hands open towards prayer, you are able to stretch out your arms and let yourself be led without knowing where. You know only the freedom which God's breath has brought you will lead to new life, even if the cross is the only sign of it you can see.

Henri J.M. Nouwen

With Open Hands, pg 36

Scripture:

¹⁵ When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

¹⁶ Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 

John 21:15-18

PRAYER
God of peace, though you have given me my own special cross just as you gave your Son the circumstances of his crucifixion, let me embrace my cross and shoulder it willingly as befits your follower. Though I may not always recognize this cross-which is often cleverly camouflaged let me accept it as part of your will for me. Even though my cross may be an invisible one, let me see this challenge as a sign of your divine favor.Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
Choose a cross to wear daily during the next days of Lent. Let it be always a sign of solidarity with Jesus rather than a  mere decoration.

Lent, Day Seventeen, Second Friday of Lent

Lent, Day Seventeen, Second Friday of Lent 
Faithfulness

I now know ... that there is a long, hard journey ahead of me. It is the way of living, praying, being with peope, caring, eating, drinking, sleeping, reading, and writing in which Jesus is truely center. I know ... that his way exists and that I have not fully found it.

How do I find it? George [Father George Strohmeyer, co-founder of L'Arche community in Pennsylvania] gave me the answer::Be faithful in adoration." He did not say, "prayer" or "meditation" or "contemplation". He kept using the word, "adoration". This word makes it clear that all the attention must be on Jesus and not on me. To adore is to be drawn away from my own preoccupations into the presence of Jesus.  It means letting go of what I want, desire, and have planned and fully trusting in Jesus and his love.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey, pg 34

Scripture:

¹⁰ “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. ¹¹ So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? ¹² And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

¹³ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

 Luke 16:10-13

 PRAYER
God, bread of heaven, let the activities of my daily life be so centered on your presence that my friendship with you is solidly entrenched in my heart of hearts. Let me serve your will and purposes and have the sense to forego the hollow pleasures of success and wealth. Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
Spend a predetermined amount of time in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Make a list of the places in your area that have Perpetual Adoration so that you might take the opportunity to visit more frequently. Be faithful in continuing this practice after Lent is over.

 

Lent, Day Sixteen, Second Thursday of Lent

Lent, Day Sixteen, Second Thursday of Lent
 

POSITIVE POWERLESSNESS 

God became a little baby.Who can be afraid of a little baby?... C5J That's the mystery of the incarnation. God became human, in no way different from other human beings, to break through the walls of power in total weakness. That's the story of Jesus. And how did that story end? It ended on a cross, where the same human person hangs naked with nails through his hands and feet. The powerlessness of the manger has become the powerlessness of the cross.... He hangs there, his flesh torn apart by lead-filled whips, his heart broken by the rejection of his friends and abuse from his enemies, his mind tortured by anguish, his spirit shrouded in the darkness of abandonment-total weakness, total powerlessness. That's how God chose to reveal to us the divine love.


Henri J.M. Nouwen
Finding My Way Home: Pathways to Life and the Spirit, pg 32

Scripture:
27Why do you complain, Jacob?
    Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;
    my cause is disregarded by my God”?
²⁸ Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
³¹ but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

            Isaiah 40:27-31

 PRAYER

Sustainer God, though I very much wish to be in control, let me recognize the strength of Christ's manger and his cross. Transplant in me your humble heart and your heroic surrender so that I may cast out pride and share in the cup of your tears. Amen.

LENTEN ACTION

Promise yourself that you will maintain a dignified silence(just as Jesus did at his trial), at a point where you are eager to contribute your two-cents' worth or when you feel a strong need to defend yourself from criticism.

 

 

Lent, Day Fifteen, Second Wednesday of Lent

Lent, Day Fifteen, Second Wednesday of Lent

 
SUSTAINMENT 

To take the holy scriptures and read them is the first thing we have to do to open ourselves to God's call.Reading the scriptures is not as easy as it seems .... We tend to make anything and everything we read subject to analysis and discussion. But the word of God should lead us first of all to contemplation and meditation. Instead of taking the words apart, we should bring them together in our innermost being; instead of wondering if we agree or disagree, we should wonder which words are directly spoken to us and connect directly with our personal story. Instead of thinking about the words as potential subjects for an interesting dialogue ... , we should be willing to let them penetrate into the most hidden corners of our hearts, even to those places where no other word has yet found entrance.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Reaching Out. The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life, pg 30

Scripture:

¹⁹ Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. ²⁰ For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. ²¹ For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. ²² Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, ²³ that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

²⁴ “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.   John 5:19-24

 

PRAYER
Steadfast God, grant me the openness to read and accept the words of your .holy Scriptures as truth for my inner being, as a springboard for meditation, as urgent messages directed to the hidden places of my heart. Also grant me the willingness to listen and connect with your teachings. Keep me from stumbling over their simplicity. Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
Choose a passage from holy Scripture that is significant to you and memorize it.