Theme: Trust in God’s Personal Love for His People
As for you, do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not worry anymore. All the nations of the world seek for these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these other things will be given you besides. Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. Luke 12:29-34
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In this week of Ash Wednesday, we enter into the Season of Lent with a public witness of our need for God’s Mercy. Sinners though we are, we join together to express our common desire to be converted and to renew our commitment to living the Gospel.
2/20 MONDAY: Consider the Question: What practices of Prayer will be a part of my observance of Lent?
Matthew 6:6 “. . . When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”
2/21 TUESDAY: Consider the Question: What forms of Fasting and self-discipline will I use in order to learn to be obedient to the Lord and to His commands?
Matthew 6:17-18 “. . . When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
2/22 ASH WEDNESDAY: Attend Mass and receive the imposition of ashes to acknowledge your need for conversion. Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return. Turn away from sin and believe in the Gospel.
Consider the question: What works of charity and Almsgiving will be part of my journey through Lent?
Matthew 6:3-4 “. . . When you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”
2/23 THURSDAY: Express in a personal prayer your commitment to growth in relationship with the Lord through the Season of Lent.
Joel 2:12-13 “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.”
2/24 FRIDAY: Abstinence from meat with the whole Church.
Theme: Trust in God’s Personal Love for His People
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What does the Theme for this Retreat mean for you? What Questions does it raise in your spirit? How do you intend to reflect on in it in the weeks ahead?
2/25 SATURDAY: Consider the Scripture that has been suggested for the Retreat:
As for you, do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not worry anymore. All the nations of the world seek for these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these other things will be given you besides. Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. Luke 12:29-34
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How does this Scripture speak to you personally? What is the Spirit inviting you to do during this Season of Lent?
2/26 SUNDAY Worship with the community.
Pray for the Catechumens and Candidates for Full Communion in the Catholic Church as they experience the Rite of Election, being called to the Easter Sacraments.
Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy. We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works. We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25
How do Faith, Hope and Love serve to lead you to worship with the Christian Community? For what are you thankful as you experience the Eucharist? How do you encourage your brothers and sisters in the Lord? Are you able to express your own Confession that gives Hope? What are the Lord’s Promises to you?
From Pope Benedict XVI’s Lenten Message for 2012: http://www.zenit.org/article-34255?l=English
Pope's Message for Lent 2012 "We Must Not Remain Silent Before Evil"
VATICAN CITY, FEB. 7, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Here is a Vatican translation of Benedict XVI's
message for Lent 2012.
"Let us be concerned for each other, to stir a response in love and good works" (Heb 10:24) Dear Brothers and Sisters, The Lenten season offers us once again an opportunity to reflect upon the very heart of Christian life: charity. This is a favorable time to renew our journey of faith, both as individuals and as a community, with the help of the word of God and the sacraments. This journey is one marked by prayer and sharing, silence and fasting, in anticipation of the joy of Easter.
This year I would like to propose a few thoughts in the light of a brief biblical passage drawn from the Letter to the Hebrews: "Let us be concerned for each other, to stir a response in love and good works". These words are part of a passage in which the sacred author exhorts us to trust in Jesus Christ as the High Priest who has won us forgiveness and opened up a pathway to God. Embracing Christ bears fruit in a life structured by the three theological virtues: it means approaching the Lord "sincere in heart and filled with faith" (v. 22), keeping firm "in the hope we profess" (v. 23) and ever mindful of living a life of "love and good works" (v. 24) together with our brothers and sisters. The author states that to sustain this life shaped by the Gospel it is important to participate in the liturgy and community prayer, mindful of the eschatological goal of full communion in God (v. 25). Here I would like to reflect on verse 24, which offers a succinct, valuable and ever timely teaching on the three aspects of Christian life: concern for others, reciprocity and personal holiness