Do Not Let Us Die in Our Sins

God's love for us led Christ to Gethsemane and to Calvary. Sin did it, our sin and the sins of the world. Sin still does it... God is not being loved and honored as he should by the race he has elevated to the sublime dignity of adopted sons. There is a gap, and God is looking for someone to stand in the gap before him on behalf of this race and beg that he may not destroy it... He hangs before us on the cross crying out, "I thirst."....We are truly blessed in having a little share in the following of the cross." Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (from March 31 Magnificat)

Lenten Reflections

As we head toward Holy Week, daily reflections can be found on the EWTN website, along with the Stations of the Cross.
Don't miss today's reflection, Sunday, March 29.
Here is a link.

A note on fasting...

The body must be given a little less than it needs. Otherwise it will turn traitor. St. Josemaria Escriva

I Thirst

Here is the meditation read at the end of the retreat on Saturday. I Thirst. It is from "Mother Teresa's Secret Fire" by Jospeh Langford.

Fasting and Feasting

Fast from judging others
and feast on Jesus in them

Fast from words that pollute
and feast on phrases that purify

Fast from anger
and feast on patience

Fast from worry and fear
and feast on God's providence

Fast from complaining
and feast on appreciation

Fast from bitterness
and feast on forgiveness

Fast from suspicion
and feast on truth

Fast from thoughts that weaken
and feast on promises that inspire

Taken from Bathe Seven Times, by Mother Nadine Brown

Turn Back...

"Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord your God." (Joel 2:12-13)

"Fasting is a great help to avoid sin and all that leads to it." From Pope Benedict's lenten message.

"This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Reform your lives and believe in the Gospel." Mark 1:15

Let us journey through Lent by exposing the sin in our lives. Mother Nadine Brown, in her book, "Bathe Seven Times" takes "each capital sin and how it manifests itself in our everyday lives and in our spiritual lives." She focuses on the remedies for each sin and the power of the Holy Spirit to come against it. Each section ends with an examination of conscience. This book can help expose the roots of stubborn sin in our lives.

*Lenten daily readings are provided through the link on your left.

Lent: A time for conversion

What does this mean for me today? How do I know if I am following the real Jesus or the Jesus of my imagination? Ask yourself whether there is a place in the community of the Church where you are open to correction. Is there a place, are there relationships that are difficult yet at the same time convey to you truth and real love? Are there times when you are so angry that you want to walk away but you know that walking away would be superficially attractive but radically disastrous? These are the places where Christ is making himself present in your life.

(Taken from February Magnificat pg. 343 by Father Richard Veras)