Lent and Easter Reflections


Book Description

The Catholic Daily Reflections Series was written to help you enter more deeply into the Holy Scriptures and the Catholic Liturgy on a daily basis. Through these reflections and prayers, you are invited to embrace the Word of God in a personal, engaging, challenging and transforming way. These reflections are also a great resource for priests and deacons for their daily homily preparations. This Volume offers daily reflections and prayers for Lent and Easter. Catholic Daily Reflections Series: Volume One: Advent and Christmas Volume Two: Lent and Easter Volume Three: Ordinary Time: Weeks 1-17 Volume Four: Ordinary Time: Weeks 18-34




Daybreaks


Book Description

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him." John 3:17 Drawing on Scripture, literature, and personal experience, Fr. Ron Rolheiser shows us God's love is unconditional--God so loves us that he gave his only son. The death and resurrection of Jesus reveal a redeeming God, not a rescuing one. And that redemption comes through forgiveness. For each day of Lent through the Second Sunday of Easter, Daybreaks invites us pray and reflect. Fr. Ron explores the themes of humility and repentance, being a disciple, justice and mercy, the nature of God, faith, the Pascal Mystery, gratitude, and redemption. His daily reflections challenge us to be more loving and forgiving Christians.




Meditations for Lent


Book Description

Even three hundred years ago, believers found it difficult to sustain for forty days the proper Lenten spirit. That's why even then, countless Christians turned to the writings of Bishop Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet (1627-1704), whose great piety and simple eloquence won him renown as one of the greatest preachers of his time. From Bishop Bossuet's sermons and spiritual writings, believers drew ever greater Lenten wisdom and strength. Now translator Christopher Blum has selected from Bishop Bossuet's voluminous works fifty brief but remarkably powerful meditations that complement the daily readings at Mass during the Lenten season, thus offering to us the perfect companion for a thoughtful and fruitful Lent. If you read and meditate briefly on just one of them each day in Lent, I guarantee that this good French bishop's eloquence will soon have you not merely remembering the events of Christ's journey to His Crucifixion; it will have you spiritually walking with Him on that journey . . . which is precisely what we are called to do in Lent! With Bossuet, this Lent you will find yourself saying, "O Jesus! I present myself to you to make my journey in your company. O my Savior, receive your traveler! Here I am ready, holding on to nothing. Let me go with You to the Father." That's the fire that should burn in the heart of all Christians. This Lent, let Bishop Bossuet enkindle it in yours. Among the Meditations: God Alone Suffices Pray to God in Secret The Truth and the Life Tempted in the Desert The Sign of Jonah Love Your Enemies This Is My Beloved Son And You Will Be Forgiven The Wicked Tenants In Spirit and in Truth The Silence of Christ Priest, Prophet, and King Our Life, a Journey to God The Great Commandment I Was Hungry and You Fed Me The Love of God for Repentant Sinners Up to Jerusalem God, the Life of the Soul The Witness of the Baptist The Raising of Lazarus Jesus Is Persecuted The True Messiah The Anointing The Betrayal The Eucharist The Passion The Brevity of Life Washed of Our Sins A Sign of Contradiction No Man Ever Spoke Like This Man The Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem To Unite Ourselves with Christ




Change Our Hearts


Book Description

The lectionary readings for the Lenten season offer a rich source of information and affirmation on our role as baptized disciples of Christ. Change Our Hearts uses these lectionary texts as a springboard to reflections on the meaning of our baptism and its implications for lifelong ministry. It celebrates the richness of our Catholic liturgy and tradition, encouraging readers to use the Lenten season as an opportunity to immerse themselves in thoughtful prayer, reflection, and practice. Each day features the lectionary citations for that day, a reflection on an aspect of the readings, and a closing prayer or practice. It emphasizes the major themes of Lent-- fasting, prayer, almsgiving, conversion, discipleship--tied into the heart of our baptism in Christ. Readers will also find a strong theme of social justice running through the book. Change Our Hearts is an excellent resource for general parish use. Each day features the lectionary citations for that day, a reflection on an aspect of the readings, and a closing prayer or practice. It is also an ideal book to use with RCIA candidates; by using this book with both parishioners and RCIA candidates, you will enable the entire faith community to join in reflection on the meaning of baptism and Christian discipleship in a challenging, inspired way.




Advent with the Saints


Book Description

Christians know that St. John the Baptist prepares the way of the Lord. Which other saints can accompany us during the four weeks of waiting for the birth of Jesus? Through insightful reflections, Franciscan Father Greg Friedman, a pastor and radio personality, connects us to the lives of saints and holy ones suggested by the Scriptural readings of Advent. Father Greg draws on his love for the saints to offer us daily inspiration during this season of preparation. For each day of Advent until Christmas Day, we find a brief reflection on an Advent lectionary reading, with a saintly connection, a suggested action for the day, and a prayer to help us slow down and savor this season of waiting and hope. This perennial Advent resource will become part of your preparation for Christmas year after year.




Meditations for Great Lent


Book Description

The Lenten Triodion exhorts us, "Let us observe a fast acceptable and pleasing to the Lord." Using hymns from the Triodion and the Scripture readings appointed for the season, Meditations for Great Lent shows us how to make our fast acceptable: to fast not only from food but from sin; to fast with love and humility, as a means to an end and not an end in itself. Keep this gem of a book with you to inspire you for the Fast and to dip into for encouragement as you pursue your Lenten journey.




Lenten Grace


Book Description

In this daily Lenten companion, members of the Daughters of St. Paul guide readers in lectio divina on the Scripture readings for the season. Includes the text of the Exultet with reflections for the Octave of Easter.




Praying Lent


Book Description

An introduction to Lenten prayer as a path to spiritual renewal. Lent can be wonderful time of spiritual renewal, however for many, Lent and Lenten prayer is often thought of as an "ordeal." What can often be overlooked amid Lenten observances, such as fasting, abstinence, or the common tradition of giving something up, is the opportunity Lent presents, through Lenten prayer and preparation, to deepen our commitment to a way of life rooted in our baptism. Praying Lent: Renewing Our Lives on the Lenten Journey reminds the reader that if we focus too much on what we give up we may miss the message of what God wants to give us during this grace-filled time. Created in partnership with Creighton University's popular Online Ministries, Praying Lent provides readers with a rich, full, and transformative Lenten prayer experience, one in which hearts, minds, and lives are truly renewed as Lent takes on a far deeper and more meaningful purpose.




Lent with St. Francis


Book Description

Lent calls us to turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel. Few saints have done this more intentionally than St. Francis of Assisi. He lived the teachings of Jesus, often quite literally, from the time of his conversion until his death. In doing so, he inspired people of his own time as well as millions from his day to our own, to do likewise. By pairing the words and deeds of Francis with the Scripture readings for Lent, Lent With St. Francis: Daily Reflections helps readers reflect on how they, too, can live the Gospel in the circumstances of their daily lives. It is written in a simple and engaging style that will draw readers in to the life of Francis, as they grow in their faith and spiritual practice through the inspiration of this beloved saint.




A Time of Renewal


Book Description

Mother Mary Francis, abbess of a Poor Clare Monastery for over forty years, left an enduring legacy in her writings and in the conferences she gave to her spiritual daughters. In this work she presents beautiful meditations on the liturgical season of Lent, revealing the treasures of the liturgy to Christians in all walks of life. Her insight into Holy Scripture and her poet's heart engendered reflections that illuminate the daily Mass readings in a fresh and attractive way. These meditations enlighten the reader to see conversion as positive and enriching, and help us to understand that the generous embrace of Lenten penance has a purpose and brings a wondrous reward: deeper union with God. She was a true daughter of Saint Francis of Assisi, who found perfect joy by turning away from self to God. As a spiritual guide, Mother Mary Francis excels in the art of persuasion, aware that the human heart cannot be forced but only gently led to holiness. She makes this goal attractive and desirable by tirelessly explaining why striving for holiness is the happiest and wisest way to live. This book provides a wealth of material for plundering the riches of the Lenten season and for deepening one's spiritual life. Her meditations are profound and timeless, not changing from year to year, thus providing a lifetime of Lenten meditations in this one volume.