Our Lenten Journey Has Begun (maybe)
For some of us it began with a sprinkling of ashes on Wednesday. For others it was a promise to fast from something or to do a little something extra each day. Still others began reading the reflections in the Little Black Book or offered a prayer asking God to truly "change our hearts this time." Or maybe, just maybe, you are only thinking about the Lenten journey right now. That's OK! Lent is a marathon not a sprint, and most likely we will stumble and fall down at some point during this journey. And that's OK too!! Jesus knows what it is to journey and to struggle and to be tempted. Be assured that when we stumble, he is always beside us, offering us the hand of mercy and lifting us back up. This Sunday we hear the story of Jesus in the desert. This is the time of prayer and fasting that Jesus entered into before he began his public ministry. If you haven't started your Lenten journey yet, the dessert with Jesus might be the perfect place to begin.
Please take a moment to enjoy this Loyola Press art reflection video on Jesus's temptation in the desert.
https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/lent/arts-and-faith-for-lent/cycle-b/arts-and-faith-week-1-of-lent-cycle-b/
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
We will be praying the Stations of the Cross each Friday of Lent at 7:00 pm. In keeping with Covid safety protocols, we will be seated instead of moving from station to station. It's different, BUT what hasn't been at least a little bit different this year?? If you enjoy the Stations of the Cross as part of your Lenten prayer practice, but still don't feel comfortable coming inside the church building, Bishop Barron has done a lovely reflection and you can pray along with him here:
KISSES FROM KATIE
If you are looking for an encouraging read during Lent, we are beginning Kisses from Katie this Sunday!
“Kisses from Katie invites readers on a journey of radical love down the red dirt roads of Uganda. You’ll laugh and cry with Katie as she follows Jesus into the impossible and finds joy and beauty beneath the dust. Katie and her children delight in saying yes to the people God places in front of them and challenge readers to do the same, changing the world one person at a time.”
Katie Davis Majors shows us how "LOVE WORKS" by truly and wholeheartedly living out the Corporal Works of Mercy. For more information visit our website:
CARE FOR THE SICK
February's Corporal Work of Mercy
The three traditional practices of Lent are PRAYER, FASTING, and ALMSGIVING. Almsgiving isn't just about giving money to our favorite helping organizations like Catholic Relief Services (though that is VERY important), but it also includes giving of our time through heart-felt acts of mercy. Perhaps one of these ideas might inspire you as to how you might CARE FOR THE SICK this week:
1. CANCER SERVICES OF MIDLAND: "Proudly providing personal & compassionate support to cancer patients & caregivers since 1948." There are many ways to reach out and support those who are struggling with the impact that cancer is having on their lives. Find out how to volunteer here: https://cancerservicesmidland.org/
2. Make a meal for someone who is sick or for someone who is a caregiver of someone who is chronically ill or if you aren't "kitchen confident" have a meal delivered.
3. Volunteer to make a grocery run for someone who is feeling under the weather or is struggling with a chronic condition.
What do you say we close out this note with a bit of Scripture from today's First Reading from Isaiah 58:
"This, rather, is the fasting that I wish:
releasing those bound unjustly,
untying the thongs of the yoke;
Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke;
Sharing your bread with the hungry,
sheltering the oppressed and the homeless;
Clothing the naked when you see them,
and not turning your back on your own."
Wishing us all the the peace and joy that comes from making extra space in our lives for more God-time this Lent!
With hope and love, Lyn