"...to surrender to too many demands,
to commit oneself to
too many projects,
to want to help everyone in everything is to succumb to violence."
- C. S. Lewis, Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander
(Disencumber - extricate: release from entanglement of difficulty. What would this mean for you?)
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In contrast to many other Lenten prayer guides, this booklet is more than a series of rote meditations. Instead, you will find brief reflections to use as springboards for your own unique meditation on the gospels of the Lenten liturgy. To enhance your meditation, a brief commentary or background on the gospel passage is also provided. - 40 page perfect-bound paperback; 8,400 word digital. - Liguori Publications
paperback edition, 1994. Contemplative Ministries, Inc. editions, 2018.
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JAS
1:12-18; PS 94:12-13A, 14-15, 18-19
MK 8:14-21
The disciples had forgotten to bring bread,
and they had only one loaf with them in the boat.
Jesus enjoined them, "Watch out,
guard against the leaven of the
Pharisees
and the leaven of Herod."
They concluded among themselves that
it was because they had no bread.
When he became aware of this he said to them,
"Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread?
Do you not yet understand or comprehend?
Are your hearts hardened?
Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?
And do you not remember,
when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand,
how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked
up?"
They answered him, "Twelve."
"When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand,
how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?"
They answered him, "Seven."
He said to them, "Do you still not understand?"
UCCB Lectionary
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Reflection on the Scriptures |
As the disciples continued to worry about their lack of physical bread for the journey, Jesus reminded them of his miraculous provision of bread in the feeding of the five thousand and the four thousand. He then upbraided them for their lack of trust in God. Aren't we like the apostles? We too easily get preoccupied with the problems, needs, and worries of the present moment, and we forget the most important reality of all -
God's abiding presence with us!
When the people of Israel wandered in the desert homeless and helpless for forty years, God was with them every step of the way. And he provided for them shelter, food, water, and provision, as long as they trusted in him. Each day he gave them just what they needed. Jesus teaches us to trust in God's abiding presence with us and in his promise to provide us what we need each and every day to live as his sons and daughters. Do you
pray with joyful confidence, "Father, give us this day our daily bread"?
"Lord Jesus, you alone are the true bread of life which sustains us each and every day. Give me joy and strength to serve you always and help me to turn away from the leaven of sin and worldliness which brings corruption and death."
DailyScripture.net
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The Ascent of Mount Carmel, by St. John of the Cross E. Allison Peers Translation. Paperback, Kindle, Audio Book.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1935785982/?tag=christianspiritu
BOOK THE FIRST Wherein is described the nature of dark night and how necessary it is to pass through it to Divine union; and in particular this book describes the dark night of sense, and desire, and the evils which these work in the soul.
CHAPTER XIII
Wherein is described the manner and way which the soul must follow in order to enter this night of sense. 9. First, let the soul strive to work in its own despite, and desire all to do
so. Secondly, let it strive to speak in its own despite and desire all to do so. Third, let it strive to think humbly of itself, in its own despite, and desire all to do so.
10. To conclude these counsels and rules, it will be fitting to set down here those lines which are written in the Ascent of the Mount, which
is the figure that is at the beginning of this book; the which lines are instructions for ascending to it, and thus reaching the summit of union. For, although it is true that that which is there spoken of is spiritual and interior, there is reference likewise to the spirit of imperfection according to sensual and exterior things, as may be seen by the two roads which are on either side of the path of perfection. It is in this way and according to this sense that we shall understand them here;
that is to say, according to that which is sensual. Afterwards, in the second part of this night, they will be understood according to that which is spiritual.
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