Thoughtfulness is the beginning of great sanctity. If you learn this art of being thoughtful, you will become more and more Christ-like, for his heart was meek and he always thought of others. Our vocation, to be beautiful, must be full of thought for others.
- St. Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)
(What others in your life need more thoughtful consideration from you? Ask the Spirit to show you how to express this.)
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5 weeks, begins February 25, noon CST.
February 27, 9 a.m. - noon, CST.
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Is 55:10-11; Psalm 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19
Mt 6:7-15
Jesus said to his disciples:
“In praying, do not babble like the pagans,
who think that they will be heard because of their many words.
Do not be like them.
Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
“This is how you are to pray:
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
“If you forgive men their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men,
neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
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Reflection on the Scriptures
The nourishing and relentless seed of life, which is God's word, becomes even more potent during the time of Lent because it is the time when we feel a particular type of barrenness. We might even find ourselves looking for signs of life or reminders that we are still fertile ground for God’s work as we search for ways to serve others during Lent.
It helps to know we are not separated from God ---- O, how painful that would be? We don’t even need to babble on in mindless prayers because when our words come from our heart, God already knows what we seek; God already holds our words dearly and closely. Even a few words from us become a powerful prayer. God is near when our words are a cry for help. God is near when our spirit is crushed and
our heart is broken. God is near when our words are filled with gratitude or even disappointment. Our desire for joy is in line with God’s desire for us as well. During this first week of Lent, may our words be in line with God’s love, and may the word of God nourish our thirsty souls. We could find nourishment in the Lord’s prayer even more than ever as we call to our God to help us, forgive us, sustain us, and give us this day.
Lord God, we have been looking in the wrong places for sustenance, and then we found your word. We are satisfied now, and we rest in your eternal word.
- by Vivian Amu
The Son of God Became Human
From The Catechism of the Catholic Church
Part One, Section Two, Chapter Two
Article 3: He Was Conceived by the Power of the Holy Spirit, and Born of the Virgin Mary
Paragraph 1: The Son of God Became Man
III. TRUE GOD AND TRUE MAN
469 The Church thus confesses that Jesus is inseparably true God and true man. He is truly the Son of God who, without ceasing to be God and Lord, became a man and our brother: "What he was, he remained and what he was not, he assumed", sings the Roman Liturgy.95 and the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom proclaims and sings: "O only-begotten Son and Word of God, immortal being, you who deigned for our salvation to
become incarnate of the holy Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, you who without change became man and were crucified, O Christ our God, you who by your death have crushed death, you who are one of the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit, save us!"96
(Footnote references in the Catechism.)
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