Lent - A time to sow good seed on fertile soil

  • Thread starter Thread starter Amiciel
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
April 3, 2016 - Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“God of everlasting mercy,
who in the very recurrence of the paschal feast
kindle the faith of the people you have made your own,
increase, we pray, the grace you have bestowed,
that all may grasp and rightly understand
in what font they have been washed,
by whose Spirit they have been reborn,
by whose Blood they have been redeemed.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

The Second Sunday of Easter is also Divine Mercy Sunday as decreed by the Congregation for Divine Worship on May 23, 2000. Devotion to the Divine Mercy was promoted by St. Faustina Kowalska who was canonized on April 30, 2000 by Saint John Paul II. (Ref ORDO.)

Today’s Scripture Readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2016-04-03

Sharing this reflection from the Euchalette, 04-03-2016, 2nd Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday), p.4:

WITNESSES OF GOD’S MERCIFUL LOVE

"Today, the Second Sunday of Easter, we honor the Risen Christ under the title of “King of Divine Mercy.” Each of us has surely experienced the infinite mercy of the Lord in so many ways, including the reception of the gift of faith and the forgiveness of our sins.

We should manifest our gratitude to the Lord Jesus for his mercy toward us by being merciful to our neighbor, especially during this Jubilee Year of Mercy. In this way, our lives will become a living witness to Christ’s resurrection and will bring others to believe that, indeed, Jesus has risen from the dead.

Like the converted Thomas, let us approach the merciful Christ in this Eucharist and renew our profession of faith by proclaiming aloud: “My Lord and my God!”

May we all have a most blessed and faith-deepening ‘Divine Mercy Sunday!’ Amen!
 
Today, Divine Mercy Sunday, we ended our Holy Mass by praying this beautiful prayer of St. Faustina Kowalska:

Prayer for the Grace to Be Merciful to Others
(St. Faustina Kowalska, Divine Mercy in My Soul Diary, 163)

O Most Holy Trinity!
As many times as I breathe,
as many times as my heart beats,
As many times as my blood pulsates through my body,
so many thousand times do I want to glorify Your mercy.

I want to be completely transformed into Your mercy
And to be your living reflection, O Lord.
May the greatest of all Divine attributes,
that of Your unfathomable Mercy,
pass through my heart and soul to my neighbor.

Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful,
so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances,
but always look for what is beautiful
in my neighbor’s souls
and come to their rescue.

Help me, that my ears may be merciful,
so that I may give heed to my neighbor’s needs,
and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings.

Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful,
so that I should never speak negatively of others,
but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.

Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful
and filled with good deeds,
so that I may do only good to my neighbors
and always try to take upon myself
the more difficult and toilsome tasks.

Help me, O Lord, that my feet may be merciful,
so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor,
overcoming my own fatigue and weariness.
My true rest is in the service of my neighbor.

Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful,
so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor.
I will refuse my heart to no one.
I will be sincere even with those who, I know,
will abuse my kindness.
And I will lock myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus.
I will bear my own suffering in silence.
May your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me.
(Diary, 163)​

What is Divine Mercy Sunday?
thedivinemercy.org/celebrate/greatgrace/dms.php
 
After our 2016 Lenten Journey with Christ, we, expectedly, find ardent thanksgiving among the major dispositions we have towards Our Lord. And we know that the*** Holy Mass or the Eucharistic Celebration*** is the means par excellence of expressing our gratitude.

We are aware that the word ‘eucharist’ comes from the Greek word meaning ’thanksgiving’. The parallel word for thanksgiving in Hebrew is ’todah’. However, ‘todah’ in the Hebrew culture means more than merely saying a verbal ‘Thank you!’ In addition to gratitude expressed verbally, ‘todah’ includes joyful praise, and connotes a thank offering or a thank sacrifice being offered by a person who has been saved from serious danger.

Our recently concluded ‘Lenten Journey’ reminded us that the Lord Jesus has saved us from eternal damnation. By His sacrificial death on Calvary, He saved us from eternal death by suffering a most brutal, violent and inhuman death on the Cross.

Thus, our thanksgiving - our todah - should fittingly be more than simply saying ‘Thank You, Lord!’ We ought to offer Him a todah accompanied by our thank offering consisting of something from our life, something from ourselves and from the blessings we have received from Him. What shall it be?

Today, let us ask the Lord:
Lord, what is that particular thing in my life that You wish me to offer You as my todah offering?

Here I am Lord!
youtube.com/watch?v=GINNh15cT08
 
Hello everyone.

Since amiciel will not be with us during the Lenten Season 2017, I thought I would use this thread that she opened for those of us wishing to follow Lent 2017.

I hope you will find the following posts for our 2017 Lenten Season prayers, reflections, links, etc. will be helpful.
 
March 01, 2017 is ASH WEDNESDAY. It begins Lent 2017.
Amiciel said:
Here are some thoughts to refresh us on what Lent is, how to observe it, what it can do for our spiritual life.

The Lenten Season is a grace-filled time to assess our lives; a time to prepare ourselves for a more meaningful re-sealing of our Covenant with the Lord; a re-sealing which we make by renewing our Baptismal Vows as faithful believers celebrating the Paschal Mystery.

The Lenten Season has a double character, namely, to prepare both catechumens and faithful to celebrate the Paschal Mystery. The catechumens, with the Rite of Election and Scrutinies and by catechesis, are prepared for the celebration of the Sacraments of Christian initiation; the faithful, ever more attentive to the Word of God and prayer, prepare themselves by penance and other Lenten spiritual exercises for the renewal of their Baptismal promises. (Ceremoniale Episcoporum, 249).

It is fitting that the Lenten season conclude, both for the individual Christian as well as for the whole Christian community, with a penitential celebration, so that all may be helped to prepare to celebrate more fully the Paschal Mystery. Such a celebration should take place before the Easter Triduum. (cf. Misericordia Dei).

More on Lent from James Akin’s article All About Lent:
ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/LENT.htm
Click to expand...
 
Amiciel said:
Excerpts on Lent from the St. Joseph Weekday Missal (1975), (Emphasis added.)

"The word lent is an ancient word for spring. The season of Lent is a time in our personal lives for new life to appear, and for old frozen attitudes to disappear. It is a time to clear the ground, to clear away rubbish. A time for sowing, so that one day, the Day of the Lord, there will be a harvest.

Jesus came into the world to share His life with us. We say we are in ‘Him’. We could examine the priorities in our lives with His mission in mind. His mission is to bring each man [woman] to human dignity, and all men [women] to brotherhood, leading them to the Father. He sought to do the will of His Father … What does that mean for us?

Lent is a time of instruction. Faith comes by hearing, which certainly includes reading, and study, and good conversation. And today it would include the communication that comes from good film and art. Faith needs to grow, to ask questions, and to reflect on the answers. To grow in faith calls for an alert and attentive person, one who listens. The man of faith listens to others, and to himself, to one’s speech and one’s conscience. He also listens to the world.

In the early Christian centuries Lent was, and … still is, a time of preparation for baptism on Easter Eve. If we are already baptized, then it is time to think what the covenant should mean to us … The Church provies a baptismal renewal at Easter. A serious spiritual effort in Lent will keep that renewal from becoming an empty gesture."
(Pls read on for continuation of thought.)
Click to expand...
 
Amiciel said:
Excerpts from the St. Joseph Weekday Missal (1975), continued, (Emphasis added.)

"Lent is a time of listening. The Word of God is given to us in abundance. Look at the texts of the Lenten Sundays (and all the weekdays), the rich parables, the choice of Gospels, the great themes of faith, conversion, and turning back to a God who is already waiting and loving us. We are asked to do more than listen in this Lenten Season. We are asked to make the Word of God a judgment upon our lives. Lent is a time for special penance and personal evaluation …

The Gospel during Lent is chosen each day in accord with the major Lenten themes and preparation for baptism: penance, prayer, effort to live a good Christian life, and acceptance of the mystery of salvation through the cross …"

What shall I offer up for Lent? ewtn.com/faith/lent/F18.htm
Click to expand...
 
Amiciel said:
God’s ‘call’ today - through Hosea!

No other prophet in the Old Testament has expressed God’s love for His people as did Hosea. The Book of Hosea flashes before us a glimpse into the inner life of God, and there, we find His steadfast faithfulness in spite of His people’s repeated infidelities and harlotries.

Through Hosea, God offers His people forgiveness and reconciliation; He calls them to come back to Him and to remain faithful to the Covenant.

And how were they to remain faithful? God gives the answer through Hosea: "I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings." (Hos 6:6)

To offer God steadfast love, one needs to know Him first. For, knowledge of God enables us to appreciate and trust Him, to offer Him a love that goes deeper than the external rites of celebration because it comes from the core of our being.

Today, God extends the same offer of forgiveness and reconciliation to each of us. He wills that we be faithful to the Covenant, and to live a life of communion with Him that is ever new, at ever deepening levels.

What will our response be to Him during this Lenten Season?

The following hymn, Come Back to Me, was inspired by the Book of Hosea. As once God called His people back to Him through Hosea, He calls each of us now. Let us listen to Him …

youtube.com/watch?v=FB0TWvag_Ic
Come Back to Me (Hosea) - John Michael Talbot
Click to expand...
 
March 02, 2017 - Thursday After Ash Wednesday:

Collect Prayer:
“Prompt our actions with your inspiration, we pray, O Lord,
and further them with your constant help,
that all we do may always begin from you
and by you be brought to completion.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/F18.htm

Scripture readings and reflections for today:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/

Daily Holy Mass from the National Catholic Broadcasting Council, Canada:
www.dailytvmass.com
 
March 04, 2017 - Saturday After Ash Wednesday:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Almighty ever-living God,
look with compassion on our weakness
and ensure us your protection
be stretching forth the right hand of your majesty.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/

Daily Holy Mass from the National Catholic Broadcasting Council, Canada:
www.dailytvmass.com

Resources for Lent from USCCB:
www.usccb.org/lent

Resources for Lent from EWTN:
ewtn.com/faith/lent/
 
Sharing this article on the** history of our Lenten Season** from the Euchalette, March 1, 2017, p.4:

“THE LENTEN SEASON
  1. The time of lent was originally established by the Church as a preparation for Baptism which took place during the celebration of the Easter Vigil. Eventually, it became a period of repentance of sin for all the faithful in preparation for Easter.
  2. The time of preparation for Easter, at first, lasted three weeks, which corresponded to our 3rd, 4th, and 5th weeks of Lent. Later, two more weeks were added: our present 1st and 2nd weeks of Lent. And much later, four days more were added, pushing back the beginning of Lent to Ash Wednesday as at present. This was done to complete the **40 days of fast **since the fasting was interrupted on Sundays.
  3. The yearly commemoration of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ has been observed in the Church since the earliest times. Originally, the commemoration lasted three days: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Eventually it was extended to a **whole week, ** what is now called Holy Week, which has its culmination in the “Sacred Triduum” – Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.
  4. For a long time, fast and abstinence were considered as among the best ways of doing penance. They are still useful, but since circumstances in the world have greatly changed, the Church does not impose them any longer as a command, except on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. She invites her children to choose ways of doing penance which are best suited to their own condition.”
 
March 05, 2017 - First Sunday of Lent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Grant, almighty God,
through the yearly observances of holy Lent,
that we may grow in understanding
of the riches hidden in Christ
and by worthy conduct pursue their effects.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2017-03-05

Resources for Lent from USCCB:
www.usccb.org/lent

Resources for Lent (Week 1) from EWTN:
ewtn.com/faith/lent/week1.asp
 
grateful_child said:
March 05, 2017 - First Sunday of Lent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Grant, almighty God,
through the yearly observances of holy Lent,
that we may grow in understanding
of the riches hidden in Christ
and by worthy conduct pursue their effects.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2017-03-05

Resources for Lent from USCCB:
www.usccb.org/lent

Resources for Lent (Week 1) from EWTN:
ewtn.com/faith/lent/week1.asp
Click to expand...
Here’s Scott Hahn’s reflection for the 1st Sunday of Lent, from the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology.

TALE OF TWO ADAMS

hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/2/5/6/256dc01aeee39f51/A_1_Lent_17.mp3?c_id=14334130&expiration=1488530532&hwt=59a8f8783cd7d201571d4984377b1007
 
March 06, 2017 - Monday, 1st Week of Lent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Convert us, O God our Savior,
and instruct our minds by heavenly teaching,
that we may benefit from the works of Lent.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/

Daily Holy Mass from the National Catholic Broadcasting Council, Canada:
www.dailytvmass.com

Resources for Lent from USCCB:
www.usccb.org/lent

Resources for Lent (Week 1) from EWTN:
ewtn.com/faith/lent/week1.asp
 
March 07, 2017 - Tuesday, 1st Week of Lent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Look upon your family, Lord,
that, through the chastening effects of bodily discipline,
our minds may be radiant in your presence
with the strength of our yearning for you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/

Daily Holy Mass from the National Catholic Broadcasting Council, Canada:
www.dailytvmass.com

Resources for Lent from USCCB:
www.usccb.org/lent
**
Resources for Lent (Week 1) from EWTN**:
ewtn.com/faith/lent/week1.asp
 
March 08, 2017 - Wednesday, 1st Week of Lent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Look kindly, Lord, we pray,
on the devotion of your people,
that those who by self-denial are restrained in body
may by the fruit of good works be renewed in mind.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/

Daily Holy Mass from the National Catholic Broadcasting Council, Canada:
www.dailytvmass.com

Resources for Lent from USCCB:
www.usccb.org/lent

Resources for Lent (Week 1) from EWTN:
ewtn.com/faith/lent/week1.asp
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top