Lent

Sunday, February 28th Readings

Second Sunday of Lent

Opening Prayer

God of all creation,

You can turn the night into day;

        the darkness into light.

You can create something out of nothing;

        beauty from the ashes.

Shine your light into our dark places.

Transform our ashes into a new creation.

God you are with us!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Genesis 22: 1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18

  • How does this story speak to you about Abraham’s love for God? His love for his son, Isaac?
  • Can you imagine yourself as Abraham or Isaac in this story? Don’t listen to the scripture as though it is a story you are listening to or a movie you are watching, rather as a participant. How does this change your perspective?
  • Describe what you think God’s blessing means to Abraham.

Romans 8: 31b-34

  • God intercedes for you in your life. Is there someone who needs you to intercede for them? Make a plan to do so soon.
  • What is the difference between “God with us” and “God for us”?

Mark 9: 2-10

  • They were blinded by the light which shone on Jesus and were paralyzed. Share an experience when you felt God’s presence so intensely you were paralyzed.
  • What do you believe is the message of this scripture? Is there anything specific that strikes you as something requiring more personal reflection?
  • Again we read, God says, “This is my beloved Son”. When were these words spoken before? What are the similarities and differences from the two times these words were spoken and what is the significance?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Have you ever heard God’s voice and followed even though you questioned? 
  • What are the things you withhold from God? How can the season of Lent help you to open up?
  • What can you not live without?  How many of them tangible? If they are people, what specifically is it that you couldn’t live without?
  • How does your life reflect how much you blindly trust God? Is it something you can measure? Try.
  • Make a list of things you can truly turn over for God to control.
  • Make a list of things you have a hard time letting go of the control. What makes it hard for you to let go and allow God to be in charge of the actions required of you in your life?
  • Have you ever gone against what you believe is God’s will? What was the situation? What was the outcome?
  • Have you ever witnessed a heroic act? Explain.
  • Do you think God has favorites?  Do you think God treats each person the same?
  • The world controls what news stories you hear. They can shine light on a story to keep your gaze away from what is happening in the dark. What helps you find the truth in all the mess?
  • Are there things happening in your community or the world which need illuminated? What can you do to shine light on them?
  • In what events or activities do you experience or see the transfiguration happen in the world today?
  • Have you ever experienced something so amazing it is hard to explain to another person? What makes it hard to explain?
  • Share a time when you experienced something with someone and afterwards saw that person in a different light. (It could be for the positive or for the negative)
  • When was the last time you went away just to spend time alone with God?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  When we experience God’s presence

ALL:  We transform ourselves…

Leader:  When we live in God’s presence

ALL:  We transform others…

Leader:  When we share God’s presence

ALL:  We can transform the world…

ALL:  We are transforming agents of YOUR love!

Challenge for the Week:  The season of Lent calls you to be more disciplined with your prayer, your giving and your sacrifice but really what it is drawing you to, is to be in deeper relationship with Jesus.  Spend time this week considering what it would have been like to walk with Jesus when he travelled around.  What would you learn?  What would you feel?  Do you think you could have those same experiences right now?  What if I said, YES!  You can walk with Jesus in the present time.  He is already with you and through prayer, giving and sacrifice you can become more aware of the voice directing you.  What are you waiting for???

Sunday, February 21st Readings

First 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 this scripture tell you about the things God loves?
  • What did the rainbow mean to Noah and his family? Does it have the same value to you today?
  • What is Noah’s role in making God’s promise complete? What is your role in it?

1Peter 3:18-22

  • 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?
  • The scripture says, “saved by water”. Reflect on the similarities of the flood of the First Reading and your own Baptism. Does this change your perspective or understanding of these events in anyway?
  • Look for the references to each person in the Holy Trinity in this scripture. What do these references reveal about each person and how can the characteristics help you through your experience of Lent?

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?
  • What does the scripture mean that this is a time of fulfillment?

General Questions for Journaling

  • What does the rainbow mean to you? How do you share this with others? 
  • 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?
  • What sign(s) of God’s love have been present in your life today?
  • How do you show signs of love to others? 
  • What confirms for you that God will keep his promise(s)? Be specific.
  • Can the suffering of Christ be a beacon of strength?
  • Do you believe God can be disobedient? Why or why not?
  • How have you been disobedient to God? How does this affect your relationship with Him? How does it affect your relationship with others?
  • How would you say your baptism has formed or changed you? Explain.
  • What can you do to get in touch with the waters of baptism washing you clean?
  • Where is God in the desert your experience?
  • 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 does conversion mean to you? Why is conversion important? 
  • At Ash Wednesday services you will hear, “You are dust and to dust you shall return” and/or “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel” as ashes are placed on your forehead.  What do these words really mean and how can you take them to heart this Lent?

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.

Ash Wednesday

Lent is more than a time when Catholics don’t eat meat and give up something like chocolate or cursing.
Lent is a season.
And like any season, ie spring, summer, fall, winter, there is (or rather should be) TRANSFORMATION.
This Lent, allow the scriptures to change you, transform you.
Let the Word fill you, awaken you and bring you to life.
When you do, then you’ll understand the full meaning of God saying, “return to me with your heart.”
Sometimes it is in letting go, that you find what you are seeking.

First Reading – Joel 2:-12-18

“Be Merciful O God, for we have sinned”

Psalm 51

On the surface this scripture is contradictory.
Jesus says, to go to your room and shut the door to pray in private, yet Ash Wednesday is the only time when you come to church and leave with a visual mark for everyone to see you believe in Jesus.
The ashes become the outward symbol that you are believer, thus shouting to everyone that you are Christian. However, the mark also is the acknowledgement that you are unclean, you are a sinner.
“Turn away from sin and be true to the Gospel”
So, YES, you are called to go to your room to pray in private to seek forgiveness, to become clean.
Think of Lent as you being “grounded.”
It’s time to work on yourself, your relationship with others and your relationship with God.
A time to change the wrong you’ve done and to make amends.
Lent begins with the Ashes on your forehead but through the six week of Lent you sacrifice, pray, and do the work.
Then at the end of Lent, the ashes are washed clean by the blood of the lamb. Washed away through the renewal of Baptismal Promises

Gospel Reading – Matthew 6:1-6,16-18