Daily Readings:
JL 2:12-18; PS 51:3-4, 5-6AB, 12-13, 14 AND 17; 2 COR 5:20—6:2; MT 6:1-6, 16-18
Reflection: Our God hears us when we cry out to Him. He is “stirred to concern for His land” and He takes pity on His followers. But, before God will respond to our concerns, we must return to Him with our whole heart. We must show Him our dedication to our faith through fasting and sacrifice. We do this not because others tell us we should, or because we want others to take notice of our sacrifice, but because our heart longs to be closer to God. This Lent, let us not look to our fast and our sacrifice as a somber disruption of our desires, but as a chance to show God our dedication and our recognition of the sacrifices His son made for us. Let us show God our desire to rend our heart and to be reconciled to God!
Big Picture: “Blow the trumpet in Zion! Proclaim a fast”
Discussion Starters:
Younger saints: As we enter into the season of Lent we hear a lot of discussion of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. What does it mean to pray? What does the word fasting mean? What does it mean to give alms? What color do you notice your priest wearing during Lent?
Older saints: We hear God call for us to return to Him with our whole heart. What does that phrase mean to you? Have you held anything back that has prevented you from returning to God with your whole heart? As we enter into Lent we will hear much discussion of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Is this something that is meant only for adults? Have you discerned how you can give alms more generously during this season of Lent?
Fun Fact: The Gloria is not sung during Advent or Lent.
Saint of the day:
Name: Saint Catherine de Ricci
What they are remembered for: Saint Catherine de Ricci was placed in the convent, of which her aunt was a nun, at the age of six. At the age of fourteen she entered the convent of the Dominican nuns. By the age of twenty-five she was chosen as the perpetual prioress and many well-known individuals sought her out because of her sanctity.
Feast day: February 13
Daily Notes:
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