Search Results for: Lent – Page 147

Loving Jesus, you never ask us to do the impossible, but you often ask us to do something difficult. Help us to remember that you are with us always, even in times of trouble. And help us today and throughout Lent to be open to your grace.

– from Peace and Good

Following in the footsteps of the sinless One who took on our shame and guilt so that we need no longer carry it is the pathway every saint has walked and every aspiring saint must follow. When we are clean through the graces of the sacrament of reconciliation, remembering death becomes not a morbid preoccupation, but a sign of hope—for ourselves and for all those who look at us and see the likeness of the Savior.

Pope Francis encourages us to recall during this Lenten season that our salvation lies in God alone. We can take comfort in the fact that Jesus himself was tempted by evil things. Seeing his battle with his adversary in more human and less cosmic terms can help us when we’re struggling with temptation.

– from The Hope of Lent

Lent is a time to quietly examine our relationships. We examine our relationships with others as well as with the Lord. Too often we want to ignore, even criticize, the ones we come upon who give us the best advice. Lord, let me hear you speaking through others.

– from Sacred Silence

Lord Jesus, as I travel through my Lenten journey, I confess that I still have far to go on the “road of reconciliation.” Give me the courage I need to follow you, as Saint Teresa did, even when the road is hard. Holy Spirit, work in me so that one day I too might be a saint! Saint Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us!

– from Lent with Saint Teresa of Calcutta

Lord, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve you as you deserve; to give and not count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and not to ask for reward.
— Prayer of Saint Ignatius of Loyola

– from Lent with Saint Teresa of Calcutta

Dear Lord, send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with its anointing, so that your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed, and restore sight to the blind.

– from The Hope of Lent

Pope Francis reminds us that prayer is the best way to overcome blind spots in our attitudes toward others. He doesn’t say it will be easy. But neither does he let us off the hook. If we search our hearts, we know that we’ve all been guilty of that desire to hold someone accountable long after we think we’ve forgiven him or her.

– from The Hope of Lent