Lenten prayer:
And the Lord said: I will give you a new heart, and place a new spirit within
you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts, and giving you hearts of
love. I will put my spirit within you, and make you live by my ways, careful
to observe my decrees. (Ezekiel 36: 26-27)
This holy season, let us think about our call to:
- Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling in them
- Fast from emphasis on our differences; feast on our oneness
- Fast from the darkness around us; feast on the light of Christ
- Fast on thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God
- Fast on words that pollute; feast on words that purify
- Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude
- Fast from withholding anger; feast on sharing our feelings
- Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism
- Fast from worry; feast on trust
- Fast from guilt; feast on freedom
- Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation
- Fast from stress; feast on self-care
- Fast from hostility; feast on letting go
- Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness
- Fast from selfishness; feast on compassion for others
- Fast from discouragement; feast on seeing the good
- Fast from apathy; feast on enthusiasm
- Fast from suspicion; feast on seeing the good
- Fast from idle gossip; feast on spreading good news
- Fast from being so busy; feast on quiet silence
- Fast from problems that overwhelm us; feast on prayerful trust
- Fast from talking; feast on listening
- Fast from trying to be in control; feast on letting go.
Loving God, let us Fast from anything that leads us away from you and teach us to feast on all that brings us closer to you. Amen.
The season of Lent
The Season of Lent — from Catholic Charities USA (pdf file)
Other resources for Lent (external links)
Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for Lent 2020
The Catholic Health Association of the United States Lent and Easter Reflections
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Resources for the Lenten Season
Sacred Space – Daily Prayer Online with the Irish Jesuits
Praying Lent – an Online Ministry of Creighton University
Angels of the Passion – Meditations on Jesus’ Last Hours (BeliefNet)
Ever Present Gift
Your birth in history, Lord, marks each beginning,
for You among us, then, sent to dwell
taught humanity the good of human living.
Your heart and will wholly to the Father directed
unto that last day in the flesh
commanding remembrance of the Gift given.
Your birth in mystery, Lord, awaits in the present
for men and women to utter “yes” to becoming.
Choose we may of His Presence to abide
though Creator sway gives to creature,
freedom respecting.
Partaking of Broken Bread and Blessed Wine, its worth
the soul acclaims. Adoring in surrender,
Incarnational living learns.
Your birth in majesty, Lord, is Victory eternal!
O Glorified One! O Highly Exulted Son! O Risen King!
Angels and saints, all heavens, Alleluia sing!
God in Christ Jesus His people restores
to the Kingdom of truth and justice
as creation was ordered before.
Sr. Agnes Reinert OSB, BCC
NACC Retired Certified
areinert@primecare.org
