Monday, March 17, 2008
DAY 35 - Holy Week - March 17
Opening Prayer
Lord, make me strong where I am weak. Increase me where I need increase. Decrease me where I need decrease.
In Jeus name Amen.
Today's Scripture
Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 36:5-11; Heb 9:11-15; John 12:1-11
Isaiah 42:1-7; Psalm 27:1-3, 13-14; John 12:1-11
Meditation
Per Praying Lent:
Whatever we do today, we might memorize the simple Opening Prayer and personalize it, asking for the strength we need, the protection we depend upon, for our journey ahead.
I have called you for the victory of justice. I have grasped you by the hand. I formed you and set you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness. Isaiah 42
Today's Daily Reflection
I did much better this year than in the past. I was 95% following. I comptlepating God's goodness more and appriated it more. Rading the Lenten scripture has really prepared me for the tomb.
Closing Prayer - God of Love, Joseph was the husband of Mary, and you entrusted Jesus to his care. I am inspired by his fidelity and integrity as your self-sacrificing servant. Allow Joseph to offer strength, courage, fidelity and tender self-less love to all husbands. Let this holy family renew in me the desire to be your servant, faithful in the vocation you have given me..
I thank God for another day. I love you Lord
Sunday, March 16, 2008
First day of Holy Week _ March 16
Opening Prayer
Lord, I just want to start by saying that I love you. I thank you for what you did for me, Lord. Help me this week to be humble in very way. My thoughts . My speech, my attitude towards others.
Jesus Christ is my Savior as a model of humility. He fulfilled your will by becoming one of us and giving his life on the cross. Help us to bear witness to you by following his example of suffering and make us worthy to share in his resurrection. Lord, I am not worthy and sometime ai walk around here like the world is mine when it infact is your. Lord, have mercy on me.
Today's Scripture
Isaiah 50:4-9; Psalm 31:9-16; Phil 2:5-11; Luke 22:14-23:56
Matthew 21:1-11. Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22:8-9,17-20, 23-24; Philippians 2:6-11; Matthew 26:14-74 ,Matthew 27
Meditation
Right now all I can say is WOW ! After reading the scripture. What Jesus went through and how humbel he was.
For a closer union with Jesus in his humility, in his suffering.
This Sunday we hold palm branches in our hands, and wave them to greet our Lord's entry into the city of our salvation. Last year's palms were burned to form the ashes that marked our foreheads to begin this Lenten journey.
We can place these palm branches - perhaps from each member of the family - in a special place in our home (maybe cutting a small piece and putting it some place where I work).
Each day this week they can represent our celebration of his love for me. That symbol can say so many words - all that I am about to celebrate and accept as love for me, and all the entry into Jerusalem experiences in my life.
Today's Daily Reflection
We can see several things that relate to us today. There were 2 crowds on Palm Sunday. One parade leads into Jerusalem with Jesus’ being welcomed and proclaimed. The other pictures Jesus leaving Jerusalem days later in disgrace and abandoned. The Liturgy of palms and the liturgy of The Passion bespeaks the duality of our human response to God through out history; sometimes we allow him in and other times we push him away.
Jesus was submissive as I should be.
Jesus lived hisi own way and never harmed anyone according to Isa.
“Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Phil.2
When Jesus spoke it was never in retaliation. It was only in truth.
Closing Prayer - It's true. I am just realizing how much you loved me Lord. I mean I knew. but did I really know? You gave us your son. He suffered with me an for me. That was my sin on that cross. Jesus paid it all. All to him I owe. I could never repay it. Loed be with me. Lord help me to be humble. i want my light to shine
Personal Stuff _ Sunday - Holy Week - March 16
Today we danced to All Hail King Jesus. I really had fun.
I am on a liquid fast from Sun up to Sun Down. Today was cool. I started to feel a little weak at the end of the day and irriatable. Not really hungry. A tad bit but not real hungry. This week it is about me and God and I am tuning out the world. I am only talking to my mother and sister. No email. No forums. None of that.
This week I plan to:
Morning
- Pray for an hour
- Read scriputre
- Meditate (Centering Prayer)
- Light Exercise
Evening
- Meditate (Examine of Conscience)
- Light Exercise
- Scripture
- Blog
- Pray
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Day 34 - The fifth week of lent - March 15
Opening Prayer
Lord, I just thank you for the Revelation of the scripture that I have read. Stories of the Bible that I have read time and time again. sermons that I have heard time and time again. And just never got it. Lord I bless your name because you are worthy. Lord guide me through this day In Jesus name.
Just Think ...
Per Praying Lent 2008
Today we read how this all came about and how Joseph took Mary as his wife. He is favored with the tremendous privilege of a message from God brought to him by an angel in a dream. Joseph hears and immediately obeys the will of God. His whole subsequent married life is to be marked by fidelity to the will of God. Again and again he will do the will of God in taking care of Jesus and Mary. As I read today's readings and ponder the life of St. Joseph, I come to a deeper realization of just how important a part he played in the life of Jesus and in the work of our redemption. As we prepare for Holy Week, Joseph can be our guide to Jesus and Mary.
Today's Scripture
Jeremiah 18:18-20; Psalm 31:5-6, 14, 15-16; Matthew 20:17-28
Meditation
Joseph can help us with our Lenten journey. He did what the Lord asked him to do. He became a servant who could not have fully understood God's ways.
Today's Daily Reflection
I pray that I will one day truly know my Purpose.
Closing Prayer - God of Love, Joseph was the husband of Mary, and you entrusted Jesus to his care. I am inspired by his fidelity and integrity as your self-sacrificing servant. Allow Joseph to offer strength, courage, fidelity and tender self-less love to all husbands. Let this holy family renew in me the desire to be your servant, faithful in the vocation you have given me..
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Day 31 - The Fifth Week of Lent - March 12
Opening Prayer
Lord ,Enlighten our minds and sanctify our hearts. In Jesus' name.
Just Think ...
God does not ask much of us. he just wants us to accept his son. This will make us free. There is no need to complain and bicker about what we have done or shall I say I. I have done nothing in comparison to Christ. God is so good for giving me his only son.
Today's Scripture
Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Daniel 3:52-56; John 8:31-42
Meditation
Again, I just want to be Holy and plese God.
Jesus is about to face a fiery furnace, (for me) which represents the full rejection of all of my sins, and the crushing defeat of death itself. I need to realize tat this freedom thing was done for me.
Today's Daily Reflection
I need a revival. I need to be renewed.
Intercession
Create in me a new heart.
Closing Prayer -Loving God, I know in your great love for me, you see the deep sorrow in my heart. Lord I am so sorry for the times atha I have hurt you an any way. I apologize fro hitting the rock twice. Hear my prayers which are offered with such trust in you.
Be with me in both mind and heart as I renew my life in your spirit. Bless your name Lord I thank God for another day. I love you Lord
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Day 30 - The Fifth Week Of Lent - Tuesday, March 11
Opening Prayer
Lord, help us to do your will that your Church may grow and become more faithful in your service.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God, for ever and ever.
Just Think ...
May we be lifted up with you.
In the first reading, lifting up the image of a serpent healed and protected the people during their journey of liberation in the desert.
In the gospel, like a trial scene, Jesus is defending himself. They want to know who he is. They want to know him - but they resist knowing him. He tells them that they'll really know him when he is "lifted up." They will lift him up on the cross, to be put to death. God transformed that tragedy, by letting his death "pay the price" for all of our sins.
When we look at a crucifix, we look at the image of the one who is "lifted up" in Glory. He is lifted up for our liberation from sin and death.
Let us give him thanks, from the bottom of our hearts. Our celebration of our glorious salvation is near.
May we be lifted up with you. In the first reading, lifting up the image of a serpent healed and protected the people during their journey of liberation in the desert.
In the gospel, like a trial scene, Jesus is defending himself. They want to know who he is. They want to know him - but they resist knowing him. He tells them that they'll really know him when he is "lifted up." They will lift him up on the cross, to be put to death. God transformed that tragedy, by letting his death "pay the price" for all of our sins.
When we look at a crucifix, we look at the image of the one who is "lifted up" in Glory. He is lifted up for our liberation from sin and death.
Let us give him thanks, from the bottom of our hearts. Our celebration of our glorious salvation is near.
Jese told them but they just didnot understandm, "He said, IF I BE LIFTED UP" not if I lift myself. I wll darw all men unto me
Today's Scripture
Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 102:2-3, 16-21; John 8:21-30
Psalm207; Judges 9:7-15; Hebrews 10:19-25
Meditation
I just want to be Holy and plese God. I want to do what he wants and not baltantly just do what I want. I ma so greatful to God for givin me his son. I am so thankful for Jesus that he had the mind fulfulled his journey, unlike me. Lord, hve mercy on me.
Today's Daily Reflection
I pray that I will one day truly know my Purpose.
Intercession -
Lord, feed us at the banquet of the Eucharist,
- with all the gifts of your paschal sacrifice. Give us a perfect heart to receive your word,
- that we may bring forth fruit in patience. Make us eager to work with you in building a better world, -
so that it may listen to your Church and its gospel of peace. We confess, Lord, that we have sinned,
- wash us clean by your gift of salvation.
Closing Prayer -Loving God, You have heard my complaints, my impatience. Sometimes I become frightened when I move away from you. Guide my heart back to you. Help me to think beyond my own wants and to desire only to do you will.
Thank you for the many blessings in my life and for the ways I feel your presence.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Day 26 - The Fourth Week of Lent - March 6
Starting Over - The Midpoint of Lent
"Lord, it feels so good to be honest with myself before you. Let me know your presence today. Help me face the challenges that will be there today. Give me some more freedom to make different choices, and act on the graces you are giving me, to refrain from escaping, but rather to give myself to loving, as you have loved me."
Below is the reason I should have sated on the praying lent Web Site:
- if being crabby or impatient with various people throughout my day is my struggle, then each morning I can ask for the grace to give that up today. And, I can practice some response that will replace it. Perhaps I will try to see the other person the way God sees him/her. Perhaps I will imagine some pain or struggle or insecurity that could be the reason that they are annoying me. Perhaps I just need to say something affirming or complementary to the person. Or, if I’m tempted to escape in fantasy throughout the day, I can ask for the grace each morning to live with and embrace the real human beings I live with today.
My reflection: As Moses was an intercessor fore the Children of Isreal when God was fed up and was ready to wipe them out; So is Jesus to us. Bless his holy name.