In the Traditional Liturgy, this is the time of Septuagesima. This is a time in preparation for Lent, a time of penance. The vestments are purple and the chant is somber. The Alleluia has been buried.
I have been reading/praying the Divine Intimacy by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D. for over a year now. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a reflection and prayer on the spiritual life. During this time of Septuagesima, the author has been speaking about detachment and poverty. He says, "detachment practiced with perfection leads effectively to its goal: union with God." This is where the passage comes alive in Mark 10: 21, "Go sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven."
In striving towards union with God, I have found that I have many, many attachments. Attachments to my own opinion, my possessions, what I think others should be doing, and to even what I think God's Will is for me. I have a far, far, far way to go in detaching from these things. My first instinct is to try and give up many things for Lent and add much prayer to my life. Our wise seminarian this Sunday in his sermon, cautioned us against this. He stated that our human condition cannot sustain a lot of change. He suggested concentrating on one vice this Lent and work on eliminating them one at a time. I will continue to pray about what I will concentrate on this Lent. It's hard, where to start?
The past two seasons of Lent, my sacrifice has found me. Two years ago my heart was ripped in two in an issue with my family of origin. This trial was extremely painful, but had great fruit. Last year, I was still mourning the two losses I had in the last year. So, I do trust the Lord in his Infinite Wisdom to provide exactly what my heart needs. However, I would like to be prepared in finding the best sacrifice for Him in prayer, fasting, and alms giving. I'm glad I still have a week!
Showing posts with label Lent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lent. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Prayer Buddy Reveal
This Lent has been utterly amazing and like no other in my life. I have been dealing with same major family of origin issues and cleansing my soul. It is good but very difficult. This process has allowed me to be more patient with my husband and daughter and also united my suffering with the suffering of Jesus.
My prayer buddy, Time Won't Give Me Time, is a very special person. She has endured so much to become pregnant and has been suffering the pregnancy and the anxieties that come with it so well! She benefited from my prayers at (almost) daily mass, (almost) daily rosary and daily prayers. I also offered up some of my emotional suffering for her. Hope some of it helped!
My prayer buddy, Time Won't Give Me Time, is a very special person. She has endured so much to become pregnant and has been suffering the pregnancy and the anxieties that come with it so well! She benefited from my prayers at (almost) daily mass, (almost) daily rosary and daily prayers. I also offered up some of my emotional suffering for her. Hope some of it helped!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Lent
This morning I attended mass and was inspired by our pastor's simple homily. Lent is about fasting, almsgiving and prayer. After mass I went to the pool for a laps and reflected on what I could do in these categories during Lent.
Fasting
I plan on giving up TV for one day a week, on a day that I am not working and am home alone. This will not be easy! The main room I sit in is the one with the TV and I usually have it on when I am computing or for company. I hope this will lead me to read more and devote myself to completing chores that will make our homelife easier. I am also going to really try hard to not talk badly about a few people in my life that really press my buttons.
Almsgiving
This one is a tough one since my DH pays all the bills and we tithe and also send a monthly donation to the building fund of our parish activity center. I am going to talk with DH tonight about maybe donating the amount of money we would spend on eating out one night a week to a different charity throughout Lent.
Prayer
I subscribe to the Magnificat and would like to say that I will say the morning and evening prayers everyday. It is lofty, but a goal. I also plan on getting to daily mass at least 3 days a week if not more. I would also like to find time to say at least one rosary a week, but need to link it to a certain time. A good idea would be on my fasting from TV day. I also commit to remembering my Lenten Prayer buddy during my daily prayers and attendance at daily mass.
Fasting
I plan on giving up TV for one day a week, on a day that I am not working and am home alone. This will not be easy! The main room I sit in is the one with the TV and I usually have it on when I am computing or for company. I hope this will lead me to read more and devote myself to completing chores that will make our homelife easier. I am also going to really try hard to not talk badly about a few people in my life that really press my buttons.
Almsgiving
This one is a tough one since my DH pays all the bills and we tithe and also send a monthly donation to the building fund of our parish activity center. I am going to talk with DH tonight about maybe donating the amount of money we would spend on eating out one night a week to a different charity throughout Lent.
Prayer
I subscribe to the Magnificat and would like to say that I will say the morning and evening prayers everyday. It is lofty, but a goal. I also plan on getting to daily mass at least 3 days a week if not more. I would also like to find time to say at least one rosary a week, but need to link it to a certain time. A good idea would be on my fasting from TV day. I also commit to remembering my Lenten Prayer buddy during my daily prayers and attendance at daily mass.
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