Openness & Self-emptying

February 16, 2024 by Leave a Comment

Lent – it’s not only about you

“Where is your brother?” is the second question Pope Francis asks in his Lenten message for 2024.

The first is, “where are you?” which I talked about in the previous episode, Where are You?

In the book of Exodus, God reaches out to the Israelites. They are so downtrodden that they are unable to even call out to God for help. But God cares for them. And cares for each of us.

3 Pillars of Lent

Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are not meant to be three separate acts. One leads to the other, pulling together the three leads us to learn how to detach from created things of this world that separate us from God.

The three together, as Pope Francis says, create an openness and self-emptying that rids us of attachments.

Then, we are able to better care for those around us.

Our attitude has an effect on others.

 

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Where are You as Lent Begins?

February 9, 2024 by Leave a Comment

Scripture

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.
For gracious and merciful is he,
slow to anger, rich in kindness,
and relenting in punishment. Joel 2: 12-13

Ashes

On Ash Wednesday, as ashes are placed on our foreheads, we hear  one of two possible phrases:

“Repent and believe in the Gospel,” or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. ”

Lenten Message

Here is Pope Francis’ Message for Lent 2024

He reminds us during Lent, we go through the desert and God leads us to freedom. However, we need to desire to “open our eyes to reality” to answer the question, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9).

When we know where we are in relation to God, then we will know our sins and what our focus is on during the time in the desert.

 

 

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Back to Prayer Basics with Pope Francis

February 2, 2024 by 2 Comments

Pope Francis is reminding all of us of the necessity of prayer!

What does the Catechism say about prayer?

Take a look at Part Four, Christian Prayer. In this episode, I refer to Catechism of the Catholic Church           #s 2558-2565

“For me, prayer is a surge of the heart;
it is a simple look turned toward heaven,
it is a cry of recognition and of love,
embracing both trial and joy.”  St. Therese of Lisieux

“Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God.”  St. John Damascene

2024 is a Year of Prayer

Some important points from the press conference:

  • We are asked to intensify prayer, renew and rebuild our spiritual practices
  • prayer is nourishment for the Christian life of faith, hope, and charity
  • the Church and people of God are to become a concrete sign of hope
  • let’s get back to basics

How will you incorporate more prayer as Pope Francis suggests into your life?

I find that it is necessary to =make it a habit. First thing in the morning or right before bed. Every time we take a long car ride we pray a rosary. I listen to podcasts about prayer and theology and how others live out their faith. It’s important to pray without ceasing, as you go about your day. Ask for the graces you need to do certain tasks. Involve God in all you do and ask him to be with you as you go about your day. Then you will have small prayers on your heart all the time.

Look at your week and focus on a different type of prayer each day:

Sunday: Mass; Monday: silence; Tuesday: petition Wednesday: rosary; Thursday: thanksgiving; Friday: scripture; Saturday: Confession and contrition

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