
Intention at the Start of Lent
“Abba, may we bend the knee
of our hearts, minds, souls, and bodies,
to live in joyful obedience to your will.”
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“Abba, may we bend the knee
of our hearts, minds, souls, and bodies,
to live in joyful obedience to your will.”
“We do not exercise the disciplines of Lent because we are afraid God might not be merciful – and we must compel God’s presence into our lives by piety – or by fooling God into believing that we really are good enough – but because God can be nothing but merciful. God has a proprietary interest in you, living between your bone and soul.”
“God of mystery and wisdom,
be with us this Lenten season.
As we walk to the cross
keep our eyes fixed
on you and your love -“
“Today, I sacrificed a one of my precious masks for the sake of Ash Wednesday. Normally I burn a stack of palm crosses and fronds from the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebration just as many churches do.”
“In all these situations, awe is often a component of the experience. Our hearts are opened up, our minds are silenced, and we perceive a reality beyond the ordinary.”
“Christ has set us free so that we can stand firm against slavery. Sin is undoubtedly slavery, as much as we hate hearing it said. How often do we think about the things we do being hurtful to others before we act or say the words? Perhaps that is the problem of sin – it is often relatively easy to ignore the consequences.”
“Sometimes, though, studying and serving can have difficult consequences. Although Andrews played a premier role in the beginning steps of Indian independence, there came a time that Gandhi, the teacher, had to tell Andrews that it was time for him to step aside and leave the rest of the struggle to Indians.”
“As we prepare to enter into Lent, we are encouraged to expand our perception. We end the season after Epiphany each year with stories of transfiguration to give us the courage to allow our eyes to adjust to the seeing of who Jesus REALLY is in our lives, much like those disciples who witness his transfiguration in our gospel.”
“Regardless of where I am spiritually at any given moment, I persist with readings and prayers at the beginning and end of each day. And, despite what may be going badly in some of our lives, here we are, together as the Body of Christ in this Cafe, choosing to get up and embrace the spiritual life again today, to seek that joyful union.”
This is the day that the Lord has made.
May God give it only the measure that it deserves.
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