Adult / Couple
Pray It!
Lenten Psalm of Longing
I thank you, O God,
for the warming of the winds
that brings a melting of the snow,
for daylight hours that daily grow longer
and richer in the aroma of hope.
Spring lingers beneath the horizon as approaching echoes of Easter ring in my ears.
I lift up my heart to you, Beloved,
in this season of Lent
that gently sweeps across
my sluggish and sleeping heart,
awakening me to a deeper love for you.
May the wind of the Spirit
that drove Jesus into the desert,
into the furnace of prayer,
also drive me with a passion
during this Lenten season
to enkindle the fire of my devotion
in the desert of Lenten love.
Birds above, on migratory wings,
signal me to an inner migration,
a message that draws me homeward bound
on Spirit's wings
to the heart of my Beloved.
May I earnestly use this Lenten season
to answer the inner urge to return.
(Ed Hays ~ Prayers for a Planetary Pilgrim)
I thank you, O God,
for the warming of the winds
that brings a melting of the snow,
for daylight hours that daily grow longer
and richer in the aroma of hope.
Spring lingers beneath the horizon as approaching echoes of Easter ring in my ears.
I lift up my heart to you, Beloved,
in this season of Lent
that gently sweeps across
my sluggish and sleeping heart,
awakening me to a deeper love for you.
May the wind of the Spirit
that drove Jesus into the desert,
into the furnace of prayer,
also drive me with a passion
during this Lenten season
to enkindle the fire of my devotion
in the desert of Lenten love.
Birds above, on migratory wings,
signal me to an inner migration,
a message that draws me homeward bound
on Spirit's wings
to the heart of my Beloved.
May I earnestly use this Lenten season
to answer the inner urge to return.
(Ed Hays ~ Prayers for a Planetary Pilgrim)
Read It!
Fasting and Feasting During Lent
Make more room for God this Lent by choosing not to do some things (fasting) and by choosing to do other things (feasting).
Fasting
Fasting is an integral part of Lent. Traditionally it has included reducing the amount of food we eat and abstaining from meat. We fast to allow our physical hunger to remind us of our spiritual hunger, our need for God. The purpose of fasting is to turn our attention to both God and others.
Things to fast from…
· watching television
· cussing or using foul language
· buying new things: clothes, music, magazines, jewelry
· snack or junk foods
· spending money on entertainment
· being angry at other people
· holding resentments
· gossiping
· being dishonest
spending too much time on social media
Feasting
The dictionary defines a feast as “something that gives unusual or abundant pleasure.” Jesus tells us what gives us the most real and lasting joy: it is sharing ourselves in love for others, for our friends, our family, and also for our neighbors in need. During Lent, we pay attention to feasting on joy, compassion, service, and hope so that we might grow in faith all year long.
Things to feast on…
· prayer
· acts of kindness to others
· forgiveness
· participating at Church
· participating in liturgy and Eucharist
· giving our time in service
· participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation
· acts of service and charity
· giving money or food/clothing to people who are hungry or in need
Make more room for God this Lent by choosing not to do some things (fasting) and by choosing to do other things (feasting).
Fasting
Fasting is an integral part of Lent. Traditionally it has included reducing the amount of food we eat and abstaining from meat. We fast to allow our physical hunger to remind us of our spiritual hunger, our need for God. The purpose of fasting is to turn our attention to both God and others.
Things to fast from…
· watching television
· cussing or using foul language
· buying new things: clothes, music, magazines, jewelry
· snack or junk foods
· spending money on entertainment
· being angry at other people
· holding resentments
· gossiping
· being dishonest
spending too much time on social media
Feasting
The dictionary defines a feast as “something that gives unusual or abundant pleasure.” Jesus tells us what gives us the most real and lasting joy: it is sharing ourselves in love for others, for our friends, our family, and also for our neighbors in need. During Lent, we pay attention to feasting on joy, compassion, service, and hope so that we might grow in faith all year long.
Things to feast on…
· prayer
· acts of kindness to others
· forgiveness
· participating at Church
· participating in liturgy and Eucharist
· giving our time in service
· participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation
· acts of service and charity
· giving money or food/clothing to people who are hungry or in need
Share It!
Watch and then share this short video about Lent from the American Catholic
website: http://youtu.be/GXfc39NQbbU
Do It!
Go to http://www.crsricebowl.org/ and check out the Lenten resources from CRS Rice Bowl. They have some great ideas.
