1st Sunday of Lent

 

Opening Prayer

Lord,

Empty me this Lent.

Take from me the things which draw me from you.

Remove from my thoughts all that causes me to sin.

I surrender myself to you.

I am YOURS!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Genesis 9:8-15

• What does the rainbow mean to you? How do you share this with others?
• What did it mean to Noah and his family? Does it have the same value to you today?

 

1Peter 3:18-22

• How would you say your baptism has formed or changed you? What can you do to get in touch with the waters of baptism washing you clean?
• During Lent we are to imagine ourselves living in the desert; without water. Have you ever felt parched or thirsty for Jesus, the living water?

 

Mark 1:12-15

• What are the things which tempt you in the desert place?
• How have the angels of God ministered to you when you have been in the desert?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• If you were in charge of giving meaning to the rainbow, how would you explain the shape? The color?  The timing of it’s being visible?
• What do you feel when you see a rainbow? Is there any other feeling you would compare it to?
• Has God used another symbol to express His promises to you? What is it and how is it shared?
• Are there signs of promise you share within your family or with friends? What is it and is it valued like the rainbow?
• What lesson can you learn from the story of Noah? What can you take away from the 40 days or of the dove and fig leave?  How is this story relevant today?
• Imagine a baptism. What thoughts or feelings do you experience?  What do you think God thinks or feels?
• What does water do for you on a daily basis? Clean you?  Quench your thirst?  How does it cleanse and satisfy your soul?
• Can you make time this Lent to spend uninterrupted time with God? What demons do you need to face?  Where does God want you to go to minister to others?
• What conversion do you feel called to this Lent?
• Where is God in the desert you experience?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  A sign of covenant in a rainbow after a hard rain…

ALL:  YOU lead us out of the desert places, let our souls rejoice!

Leader:  A sign of courage in a slingshot facing a giant…

ALL:  YOU lead us out of the desert places, let our souls rejoice!

Leader:  A sign of hope in a star over Bethlehem…

ALL:  YOU lead us out of the desert places, let our souls rejoice!

Leader:  A sign of forgiveness on the cross at Calvary…

ALL:  YOU lead us out of the desert places, let our souls rejoice!

Challenge for the Week:   Lent is a time for us to make a promise to be a better person, a better friend, a better disciple.  God’s promise to love and protect us is symbolized with a rainbow and with a cross.  Spend time this week, as you enter into the Lenten season, thinking about a sign or symbol you can use to show God you are committed to fulfilling your Lenten promise of fasting, alms giving, and praying.  Find a sign or symbol which will help you stay focused on keeping your promise and to remind you God is always with you.