Lent - A time to sow good seed on fertile soil

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Amiciel

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On February 13, 2013, the Lenten Season 2013 begins with Ash Wednesday. Here are some thoughts to refresh us on what Lent is, how we are to observe it, what it hopes to do for our lives.

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
 
Excerpts on Lent from the St. Joseph Weekday Missal (1975):

"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."
 
Excerpts from the St. Joseph Weekday Missal (1975), continued:

"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
 
February 13, 2013 - Ash Wednesday:

Collect Prayer:
“Grant, O Lord, that we may begin with holy fasting
this campaign of Christian service,
so that, as we take up battle against spiritual evils,
we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint.
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/ash_F17.htm
www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/ASH_WED.HTM

Scripture readings and reflections for today:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2013-02-13
 
February 14, 2013 - 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:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
 
February 15, 2013 - Friday After Ash Wednesday:

Collect Prayer:
“Show gracious favor, O Lord, we pray,
to the works of penance we have begun,
that we may have strength to accomplish with sincerity
the bodily observances we undertake.
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/F19.htm

Scripture readings and reflections for today:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
 
Amiciel said:
February 13, 2013 - Ash Wednesday:

Collect Prayer:
“Grant, O Lord, that we may begin with holy fasting
this campaign of Christian service,
so that, as we take up battle against spiritual evils,
we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint.
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/ash_F17.htm
www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/ASH_WED.HTM

Scripture readings and reflections for today:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2013-02-13
Click to expand...
Hi, Amiciel. We start the Lenten Season today. Thank you for opening this thread again. I found it very helpful last year. Loved especially the Stations of the Cross (Mother Angelica’s reflections)!

Praying for you and for all viewers here for special Lenten blessings throughout this season.
 
Sharing here some thoughts from the priest’s homily in today’s Holy Mass for Ash Wednesday:

All moments are precious; all moments are special. but there are some moments more precious and more special than others.

This moment, right now, is one of them. And what is more precious and more special about this moment? It is because it is Ash Wednesday when we are marked with ashes on our foreheads.

The ashes remind us that we are dust and, one day, we shall go back to being dust. Yes, one day, we shall certainly die. This thought, however, should not be a source of fear. For the ashes are imposed on our foreheads in the form of a Cross, with a prayer. The Cross reminds us of our salvation, of eternal joy which awaits us after our life on earth is over.

Together, the ashes and the Cross remind us of eternal life with God awaiting us. They remind us to lead good lives on earth, faithful to the God who made us, the God who beckons us constantly to stay along the right path that leads to Him …

Lent is a time when grace is offered to us in abundance to help us become more sensitive to God’s call, whoever we are, young or old, rich or poor, bosses or employees, employed or unemployed, etc. 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
 
February 16, 2013 - Saturday After Ash Wednesday:

Collect Prayer:
“Almighty ever-living God,
look with compassion on our weakness
and ensure us your protection
by 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.”

www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/F20.htm

Scripture readings and reflections for today:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
 
Amiciel said:
February 15, 2013 - Friday After Ash Wednesday:

Collect Prayer:
“Show gracious favor, O Lord, we pray,
to the works of penance we have begun,
that we may have strength to accomplish with sincerity
the bodily observances we undertake.
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/F19.htm

Scripture readings and reflections for today:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
Click to expand...
Additional link to EWTN reflections:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
 
Amiciel said:
February 16, 2013 - Saturday After Ash Wednesday:

Collect Prayer:
“Almighty ever-living God,
look with compassion on our weakness
and ensure us your protection
by 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.”

www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/F20.htm

Scripture readings and reflections for today:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
Click to expand...
Additional link to EWTN reflections:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
 
February 17, 2013 - First Sunday of Lent:

Collect 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.”

www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/F21.htm

Scripture readings and reflections for today:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
 
Amiciel said:
February 17, 2013 - First Sunday of Lent:

Collect 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.”

www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/F21.htm

Scripture readings and reflections for today:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
Click to expand...
Great new link from EWTN!!! It has Fr. B. Groeschel’s talks for Lent! I may add it to our other thread. Thanks!
 
February 19, 2013 - Tuesday, First Week of Lent:

Collect 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.”

Scripture readings and reflections for today:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
 
February 20, 2013 - Wednesday, First Week of Lent:

Collect 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.”

Scripture readings and reflections for today:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
 
February 21, 2013 - Thursday, First Week of Lent:

Collect Prayer:
“Bestow on us, we pray, O Lord,
a spirit of always pondering on what is right
and of hastening to carry it out,
and, since without you we cannot exist,
may we be enabled to live according to your will.
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.”

Scripture readings and reflections for today:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
 
February 22, 2013 - Friday, First Week of Lent:

Collect Prayer:
“Grant that your faithful, O Lord, we pray,
may be so conformed to the paschal observances,
that the bodily discipline now solemnly begun
may bear fruit in the souls of all.
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.”

Scripture readings and reflections for today:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
 
February 23, 2013 - Saturday, First Week of Lent:

Collect Prayer:
“Turn our hearts to you, eternal Father,
and grant that, seeking always the one thing necessary
and carrying out works of charity,
we may be dedicated to your worship.
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.”

Scripture readings and reflections for today:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
 
February 24, 2013 - Second Sunday of Lent:

Collect Prayer:
“O God, who have commanded us
to listen to your beloved Son,
be pleased, we pray,
to nourish us inwardly by your word,
that, with spiritual sight made pure,
we may rejoice to behold your glory.
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.”

Scripture readings and reflections for today:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
 
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