reflecting this lent
Below are a few Lenten reflections written for our parish community as we approach this 2023 Lenten liturgical season. Each reflection includes a reflection over that day’s gospel reading, resolution made for how to grow in faith, and a prayer to renew our relationship with Christ. Additionally, there is a song to meditate with if you so choose to use music to pray.
2023 Lenten Reflections
Friday after Ash Wednesday - February 24th, 2023
Reflect
I’m not sure if I know anyone who doesn’t enjoy weddings. It’s like pizza, even bad weddings are still good. The room is filled with joy, celebration, and love while everyone is catching up with friends and family. Good food, music and dancing all add to that same celebration of the newly wedded man and woman, the two who have now become one in the sacrament of marriage.
In this passage, the disciples of John the Baptist ask Jesus why His disciples do not fast while the Pharisees, a strict Jewish sect in the time of Christ, do. His response reveals two realities of Jesus coming to earth: Jesus reveals himself as the bridegroom, one who is soon to be married, and there is no need to fast while they are in His presence. He then says, “The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them”, foreshadowing His assumption. The message is clear, in the presence of our Lord there is no reason for acts of penitence, but when He leaves, then we may pray, fast, and give alms.
Resolve
We are now living in the time without Christ in human form on earth; this is a time of waiting for our bridegroom to return to lead us into this wedding feast at the end times, this marriage supper of the lamb (Rev. 19:7–10). The natural response in this season of waiting is to fast. St. Thomas Aquinas gives us three reasons to fast, “For we fast for three purposes: (1) to restrain the desires of the flesh; (2) to raise the mind to contemplate sublime things; (3) to make satisfaction for our sins. These are good and noble things, and so fasting is virtuous.”
Renew
God the Father, thank you for giving us Your Son, Jesus Christ. Give us minds and hearts that long to see your face again. Let us be a people that are detached from the satisfactions of the world in hopes that we may be united with you in eternal glory. Amen.
Song - No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus by Steffany Gretzinger
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary - March 20th, 2023
Reflect
On December 8th, 2020 Pope Francis declared 2021 “The Year of St. Joseph”, devoting the Church to the spouse of Mary. We know very little of St. Joseph; He has no words recorded in scripture and his name is only mentioned a handful of times, here in this passage, the flight to Egypt, and the finding of Jesus in the temple. Many people are taking notice and developing a devotion to Joseph, but why?
Christ coming to earth, His incarnation, means He humbled Himself to become fully man. Christ lives the same experiences we have, one of which is that He also had a family. Jesus had a father, yes a Father in heaven, but also an earthly father that raised Jesus in all the ways any other young boy would be raised. Joseph is the foster father of the Son of God, the Protector of the Holy Family, and Guardian of the Virgin Mary.
Resolve
After Mary, Joseph is the greatest of all saints. He is my favorite saint and one I would encourage everyone to spend time meditating on who he is for the Holy Family and thus the world. Imagine his prayer, on his knees in front of the womb of Mary. Imagine the tender moments the Holy Family must have had. I cannot say much more than pointing you to a few of the titles for Joseph found in ‘The Litany of St. Joseph’ listed below which give more color to this man scripture calls “a righteous and just man”.
Spouse of the Mother of God
Guardian of the Redeemer
Foster father of the Son of God
Head of the Holy Family
Terror of demons
Protector of Holy Church
Renew
God the Father, renew in me a desire to pursue you and what you love. Turn my mind away from the things of the world and towards the lasting things of heaven. I ask for the loving intercession of our spiritual father St. Joseph, so we may grow in the virtues he modeled for us. With Mary and Joseph, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Song - Most Beautiful/So In Love by Maverick City Music
Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion - April 7th, 2023
Reflect
Can we mourn the death of Our Lord today. The temptation is there for us to hear the readings today and move on with our Friday without contemplating the full extent of what happened this Friday.
Jesus took on the sins of the world. He undertook all physical and psychological suffering. Aching loneliness, isolation, fear, and betrayal. The scourging at the pillar, the crown of thorns, the carrying of the cross, falling under the weight of the world, being nailed to a tree. Are we still watching? Or have we looked away? From the early morning at the Garden of Gethsemane to Golgotha, multiple hours, there is only suffering. After all of this, He still pleads to the Father for our sake saying, “Forgive them Father, for they do not know what they do.”
Resolve
He hangs on the tree at calvary with all the love in His eyes, looks at us and says, “I thirst”. Reading through St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta's writing, “I Thirst For You”, we may come to understand the gravity of Christ's salvific suffering and crucifixion for us. A short excerpt is below.
I Thirst For You.
You don’t need to change to believe in My love, for it will be your confidence in that love that will make you change. You forget Me, and yet I am seeking you every moment of the day – standing before the doors of your heart and calling.Do you find this difficult to believe? If so, look at the Cross, look at My Heart that was pierced for you.
Have you not understood My Cross? Then listen again to the words I spoke there, for they tell you clearly why I endured all this for you: “...I thirst for you”
Renew
Jesus Christ, as we meditate on your five wounds, your passion and death, I ask that we may come to know the saving love you have for us. May we let the reality of your suffering pierce our hearts, so our heart may break for what breaks yours. Let my sins be washed by the blood and water that flow from your side. Let me stay here at the foot of the cross with Your Mother, Mary. I give you my heart, Lord Jesus. I love you. Amen.
Song - Wood and Nails by The Porter’s Gate
