Lent - A time to sow good seed on fertile soil

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February 25, 2013 - Monday, Second Week of Lent:

Collect Prayer:
“O God, who have taught us
to chasten our bodies
for the healing of our souls,
enable us, we pray,
to abstain from all sins,
and strengthen our hearts
to carry out your loving commands.
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/M1.htm
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
 
February 24, 2013 - Second Sunday of Lent:
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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.”
Click to expand...
Scripture readings and reflections for today:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
Click to expand...
Sharing a reflection from today’s Euchalette:

"Prayer meant so much to Jesus. It was an essential dimension of his life. The Gospels contain numerous references to Jesus’ praying in seclusion or waking up before everybody else to pray in some quiet place. Every prayerful encounter with his Father brought out the best in Jesus. Three of his disciples - Peter, James and John - witnessed this outpouring of the best in their Master in the episode we call the ‘Transfiguration’…

There was a time … in the earthly life of Jesus , on … the Mount of Olives … when the loving dialogue of prayer turned into a monologue of distress. The usual ‘Partner’ - the Father - seemed absent. He appeared to have turned a deaf ear to what Jesus was saying. Nor did He talk to His pleading Son. It was as if God had ‘hidden His face’ from Jesus.

Fortunately … Jesus closed his conversation in the way he had taught his disciples to pray: ‘Your will be done!’ Then an angel appeared to console him in his distress … The presence of the angel said that prayer had ‘worked’. Jesus’ Partner had been listening, after all. His full answer would come at the Resurrection, the ‘permanent transfiguration’ …

The transfiguration undergone by Jesus on Mount Tabor was only a preview. It was a ‘foretaste’, meant to tell the astonished disciples to set their hearts on what really matters: their relationship with God, their filial conversation with Him.

Such is also the lesson for us, as we reflect on the transfiguration of Jesus while he was at prayer. (See Lk 9:29.) If we understand this point clearly, prayer will never be ‘boring’ or ‘routine’ or a monotonous ‘monologue.’ It may happen that we, too, find ourselves praying fervently, crying our hearts out, apparently to no effect, for God seems not to be listening … In such situations the temptation is great to conclude that God does not care anymore about us … But we know that God is always there. He is always listening even when we can’t see Him and we can’t hear His voice, there and then. His answer will come at the proper time - in His time - which is always the best time." (p.4.)
 
February 26, 2013 - Tuesday, Second Week of Lent:

Collect Prayer:
“Guard your Church, we pray, O Lord, in your unceasing mercy,
and, since without you mortal humanity is sure to fall,
may we be kept by your constant helps from all harm
and directed to all that brings salvation.
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/M2.htm
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
 
February 27, 2013 - Wednesday, Second Week of Lent:

Collect Prayer:
“Keep your family, O Lord,
schooled always in good works,
and so comfort them with your protection here
as to lead them graciously to gifts on high.
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/M3.htm
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
 
February 28, 2013 - Thursday, Second Week of Lent:

Collect Prayer:
“O God, who delight in innocence and restore it,
direct the hearts of your servants to yourself,
that, caught up in the fire of your Spirit,
we may be found steadfast in faith
and effective in works.
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/M4.htm
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
 
March 01, 2013 - Friday, Second Week of Lent:
Today is also First Friday of the month.

Collect Prayer:
“Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that, purifying us by the sacred practice of penance,
you may lead us in sincerity of heart
to attain the holy things to come.
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/M5.htm
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
 
March 02, 2013 - Saturday, Second Week of Lent:
Today is also the *First Saturday *of the month.

Collect Prayer:
“O God, who grant us by glorious healing remedies
while still on earth
to be partakers of the things of heaven,
guide us, we pray, through this present life
and bring us to that light in which you dwell.
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/M6.htm
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
 
March 03, 2013 - Third Sunday of Lent:

Collect Prayer:
“O God, author of every mercy and of all goodness,
who in fasting, prayer and almsgiving
have shown us a remedy for sin,
look graciously on this confession of our lowliness,
that we, who are bowed down by our conscience,
may always be lifted up by your mercy.
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/M7.htm
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
 
March 04, 2013 - Monday, 3rd Week of Lent:

Collect Prayer:
“May your unfailing compassion , O Lord,
cleanse and protect your Church,
and, since without you she cannot stand secure,
may she be always governed by your grace.
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/M8.htm
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
 
March 05, 2013 - Tuesday, 3rd Week of Lent:

Collect Prayer:
“May your grace not forsake us, O Lord, we pray,
but make us dedicated to your holy service
and at all times obtain for us your help.
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/M9.htm
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
 
Amiciel said:
March 03, 2013 - Third Sunday of Lent:

Collect Prayer:
“O God, author of every mercy and of all goodness,
who in fasting, prayer and almsgiving
have shown us a remedy for sin,
look graciously on this confession of our lowliness,
that we, who are bowed down by our conscience,
may always be lifted up by your mercy.
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/M7.htm
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
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Today’s Gospel referred to the sad story of a fig tree that had been barren for 3 years. Here is a reflection on barrenness from today’s Euchalette, p. 4:

"… barrenness is not a defect that can be found only in trees. It can also be found in people. Spiritual and moral barrenness means the absence of those dispositions and actions which God has a right to expect from us. In spite of the much care and love we have received from Him, our response is often disappointing.

In most cases, it is not a matter of laziness. We are very active. We do many things. We may even give the impression that we are achieving a lot … Many of our actions, however, are just like pompous leaves which suck most of our vital energies. We are constantly in danger of forgetting that what matters is not how many things we do, but rather, WHAT we do, HOW and WHY we do it. We are expected to bear fruits of holiness by doing our duty to the best of our ability and out of love for God.

The Lord, of course, is usually patient. But His patience should not be taken to mean that He is either indifferent to what we do, or that He has become unable to check our misbehavior. It simply means that, in His love, and thanks to the intercession of Jesus, He gives us another chance. But a day will come when we will have to account even for these additional signs of love." (continued in next post.)
 
(Reflection from today’s Euchalette on barrenness continued)

"These are days of grace; days for an honest evaluation of our performance in the light of God’s generosity and of His expectation. If we discover that our life is so full of ‘leaves’ but lacks the fruits of piety, gratitude, honesty, generosity, purity, sense of responsibility, faith, hope, love … we have only one thing to do: UNDERGO CONVERSION and REFORM. In the first part of today’s Gospel, Jesus uses this word twice, both as an exhortation and as a warning. (See vv. 3 and 5.)

But he does more than just exhort and warn us. Not only does he give the warning and intercede for us with the Father, but he also offers us his help to rid us from our barrenness. His teaching, his example, his grace will produce the miracle, if only we allow him to work in us and cooperate with him…" (p.4.)
 
March 06, 2013 - Wednesday, 3rd Week of Lent:

Collect Prayer:
“Grant we pray, O Lord,
that, schooled through Lenten observance
and nourished by your word,
through holy restraint
we may be devoted to you with all our heart
and be ever united in prayer.
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/M10.htm
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
 
March 07, 2013 - Thursday, 3rd Week of Lent:

Collect Prayer:
“We implore your majesty most humbly, O Lord,
that, as the feast of our salvation draws ever closer,
so we may press forward all the more eagerly
towards the worthy celebration of the Paschal Mystery.
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/M11.htm
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
 
March 08, 2013 - Friday, 3rd Week of Lent:

Collect Prayer:
“Pour your grace into our hearts, we pray, O Lord,
that we may be constantly drawn away from unruly desires
and obey by your own gift the heavenly teaching you give us.
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/M12.htm
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
 
March 09, 2013 - Saturday, 3rd Week of Lent:

Collect Prayer:
“Rejoicing in this annual celebration
of our Lenten observance,
we pray, O Lord,
that, with our hearts set on the paschal mysteries,
we may be gladdened by their full 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.”

Scripture readings and reflections for today:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/M13.htm
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
 
March 10, 2013 - Fourth Sunday of Lent:

Collect Prayer:
“O God, who through your Word
reconcile the human race to yourself in a wonderful way,
grant, we pray,
that with prompt devotion and eager faith
the Christian people may hasten
toward the solemn celebrations to come.
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/M14.htm
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
 
March 11, 2013 - Monday, 4th Week of Lent:

Collect Prayer:
“O God, who renew the world
through mysteries beyond all telling,
grant, we pray,
that your Church may be gujided by your eternal design
and not be deprived of your help in this present age.
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/M15.htm
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
 
Amiciel said:
March 10, 2013 - Fourth Sunday of Lent:

Collect Prayer:
“O God, who through your Word
reconcile the human race to yourself in a wonderful way,
grant, we pray,
that with prompt devotion and eager faith
the Christian people may hasten
toward the solemn celebrations to come.
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/M14.htm
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
Click to expand...
Sharing this thought from today’s Euchalette, (p.1.)

A Heart Always Ready to Welcome Back
"**Conversion from a life of sin is a long journey back to the home which we left in the deceitful attempt to assert our freedom against all rules. Often, we have to reach the bottom of deprivation and alienation, before we realize the loss incurred and feel the urge to break away from that self-inflicted slavery.

But the realization of our miserable situation would only lead us to despair if, deep in our hearts, we did not feel sure that God is a loving and forgiving Father who is still willing to accept us. Today Jesus reminds us that God, indeed, is a merciful Father who is not only ready to accept us back in His house, but even runs to embrace us as we journey back to Him. This is what He does in every Eucharist, the splendid banquet He has prepared to celebrate our return." **(p.1.)
May these past weeks of Lenten scrutiny in the company of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, give us the confidence to approach God, Our Father, with renewed love and resolve to be better sons and daughters in Christ.

Let us generously respond to the Lord’s call which, once again, He gives us through the prophet Hosea:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB0TWvag_Ic
 
March 12, 2013 - Tuesday, 4th Week of Lent:

Collect Prayer:
“May the venerable exercises of holy devotion
shape the hearts of your faithful, O Lord,
to welcome worthily the Paschal Mystery
and proclaim the praises of your salvation.
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/M16.htm
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
 
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