LENTEN CYBER RETREAT - WEEK IV 3/26
Lent Week IV: Reconciliation
http://ccc.usccb.org/flipbooks/catechism/index.html#374
Overall Petition for the Cyber Retreat
That faithful sharing in the Sacramental Life of the Church may form us all to be a clear witness of the truth of the Gospel and of the power of the Spirit of Jesus to bring light and healing to our world.
Focus on the Sacrament: Reconciliation
Image of St. Joseph: The Worker
Joseph is known as Patron Saint of Workers because he was the carpenter of Nazareth. His primary means of support for Mary and Jesus was his work to craft the stuff of ordinary everyday living. He taught Jesus this craft and at times Jesus was Himself known as a carpenter. Joseph the Worker reminds us of the importance of the everyday and the effort to build up our earthly reality. One who “works for a living” is a witness of the fact that God has entrusted His Creation to us and that our work makes us “co-creators” with God.
Petition for Week – That all parents may realize their responsibility to teach their children in the ways of Faith by word and example.
Resources for Lent from the US Catholic Bishops:
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/lent/
Pope Francis’ Lenten Message: https://zenit.org/articles/popes-message-for-lent-2017/
Questions to consider:
How do the Sacraments form me as a witness to the Gospel?
What new insights do the Sacraments offer me as I seek to know God better?
Where do I experience healing in the Sacraments?
Who is waiting for my invitation to share the Sacramental Life of the Church?
What new commitment is the Lord asking of me through the Sacraments I live?
How do the witness of St. Joseph and model of the Holy Family encourage me to persevere?
What Mystery of the Rosary touches me in a particular way this week?
Resources for Lent from the US Catholic Bishops:
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/lent/
Pope Francis’ Lenten Message:
https://zenit.org/articles/popes-message-for-lent-2017/
Petition for Week IV - Lent Sunday IV: March 26, 2017
Year A Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/033014.cfm
The Second Scrutiny opens the eyes of our hearts to Truth. Blindness covers a multitude of sins. We are all seeing with eyes that are “darkened” by self-interest and by our faults and attachments. Have you ever looked for something, searching frantically, only to discover when the search was over, the object of your search was right in front of you, or even in your hand? The Kingdom is like that. We see it when we come into our own persons, not as we have constructed ourselves to be, but as we are in the mind of God. Our sight is restored to us when we come down to earth and go where we are sent. Reality reveals itself to those who look to see it. God reveals Himself only to those who do not disbelieve in Him.
We are confronted by Truth and truths that are often uncomfortable when we are open to the Revelation God gives through the life of Faith, especially through our experience of Word and Sacrament. Our call is to see as God sees, allowing Him to transform us from within. We must live the Truth and share it with others even in the face of rejection and ridicule. The world longs for Truth and God has shared it with us. We have been sent.
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/rosaries/index.cfm
3/27 Monday: The Joyful Mysteries
The Annunciation, Visitation and Birth of Jesus speak to us of Mary’s response to God’s grace. Mercy is received for the human race in its fullness and she shares it with the world.
3/28 Tuesday: The Sorrowful Mysteries
The Agony in the Garden, the Scourging at the Pillar and the Crowning with Thorns point to the willingness of Jesus to do His Father’s Will, whatever the cost, and of our rejection of Him through sin.
3/29 Wednesday: The Glorious Mysteries
The Resurrection, the Ascension and the Descent of the Holy Spirit show us the power of God to raise our human nature to a sharing in His Glory.
3/30 Thursday: The Luminous Mysteries (The Mysteries of Light)
The Baptism of the Lord, the Wedding Feast of Cana, the Proclamation of the Gospel and the Call to Conversion, the Transfiguration and the Institution of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper show us the way in which Jesus revealed the Sacramental Life He has given to the Church. Divine Life is shared in human experiences.
3/31 Friday: The Sorrowful Mysteries
The Carrying of the Cross and the Crucifixion bring to conclusion Jesus’ full embrace of our human experience. We are invited to imitate Him as we experience our own burdens and sufferings in the earthly journey. Abstinence from meat with the whole Church. Reflect on the holiness to which you are called. Participate in a Lenten Fish Fry and the Stations of the Cross or other devotions for Lent.
4/1 Saturday: The Joyful Mysteries
The Presentation of Jesus and the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple both show the importance of bringing our children into an awareness of their relationship with God.
4/2 Sunday: The Glorious Mysteries
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth make known to us that we are already sharers in the Divine Life that will be ours in Eternity. Mary is our Mother in the order of Grace. She prompts us to open our hearts to her Son.
Worship with the community. Pray for the Catechumens as they experience the Third Scrutiny.