Tag Archives: lent

Journey Into the Desert

March 11, 2011

Journey Into the Desert

By Father Stefan Starzynski

How many times have we said at the end of Lent, “I wish that I had a better Lent”? Here we are at the beginning of a new Lent. We have another opportunity to begin anew. Lent is about preparing our hearts to receive Jesus on Easter Sunday.

We are told in the scriptures that the Spirit drove Jesus into the desert. The same Spirit drives us into the desert. The desert has two purposes in the scriptures. The desert is the place where we are tested and stripped of the illusions that we have created about ourselves. The Desert is the place where we can hear and meet God.

We find an example of this desert experience in the life of Moses. Moses went into the desert for forty years in exile, but Moses experiences God on Mount Sinai. Moses had to go into the desert for forty years before he met the Living God in the Burning Bush. The Prophet Hosea says that God in the desert comes to us as a Groom meeting His Bride. God prepares us to become his bride in the desert.

One of the titles of Mary is the Rose of Sharon. This rose is a desert Rose. It is small, delicate and beautiful. This Rose springs up in the desert.  In the morning the petals capture a single drop of dew. The rose protects the dew from the heat of the desert. The dew also gives nourishment to the rose. In the desert we meet God and God meets us. The Rose of Sharon is an image of the Blessed Mother and of every Christian. The Dew is an Image of Jesus.

We are called to be like Mary and receive the dew of God’s Word. In the desert of Lent our hearts are made more sensitive to the small ways that God comes to us.

How many people say that they have a hard time hearing God? In order to be able to hear God we first have to enter into the desert. May this Lent be a time when we make a journey into the desert in order to hear the still small voice of God.

May we come to know that we are God’s precious rose in the desert of the world.

Fr. Stefan Starzynski is Parochial Vicar of St. Marry of Sorrows in Falls Church, VA and serves as Spiritual Adviser to the Paul Stefan Foundation and its Maternity Homes for Women in Need.

Share
Also tagged , , , , , , – No Comments

Lenten Devotions – How Did You Do?

March 30, 2010

As Lent comes to a close and we prepare to celebrate the Easter Triduum and the Resurrection, St. Michael Society wants to know how all of our readers did during Lent. Did you successfully complete your Lenten devotions? Did you make it to Confession?

What did you learn this Lent? How did you improve your relationship with Christ, with others? Do feel any different after spending 40 days sacrificing something special to you?

We want to thank our readers for your comments about your own Lenten devotions this year and hope they were encouraging for others.

We hope God continues to bless all of you, especially during Holy Week and this joyous Easter season that is nearly upon us!

Share
Also tagged , , , – No Comments

Words of Encouragement from the Holy Father

March 11, 2010

A little reminiscent of Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict addressed young people directly yesterday in his weekly Wednesday audience, urging them to make this Lent a fruitful one:

 ”Dear young people, may the Lenten journey that we are taking be an occasion for authentic conversion that leads you to maturity of faith in Christ.”

 It’s always a great encouragement when our Holy Father shares in our own struggles and sufferings, especially during this time of Lent when we are called to really grow in holiness.

In the same audience, Pope Benedict addressed those who are suffering:

 “Dear sick people, participating with love in the suffering of the Son of God incarnate, you are able to share preliminarily in the glory and joy of his resurrection.”

 And lastly the Pope addressed the lovely newlyweds in the audience:

 “And you, dear newlyweds, find in the alliance that, at the cost of his blood, Christ has made with his Church, the support and model of your marital pact and of your mission at the service of the Gospel.”

 There’s much to write about both these topics but instead of reading what we may have to say about them, spend some time in prayer and listen to what God has to say.

God bless you St. Michael Society readers!

Share
Also tagged , , , , , – No Comments

The Power of “True” Fasting

February 24, 2010

Two year’s ago, the Pastor at our Church made copies available of a Catholic magazine called The Word Among Us.  While there are many terrific Catholic magazines, newspapers and online sources, The Word Among Us has really struck a chord.  

This month’s issue is truly incredible.  It is not only dedicated to Lent, but it focuses on the true meaning and impact of Fasting on our spiritual well being.  Lent is so often practiced by many as a “that time of the year” ritual or tradition, rather than experienced as a way to examine conscience, seek reconciliation through Penance and a time of Fasting to draw closer to God and have a better understanding of our Faith as Catholics. 

“True” Fasting, as outlined in Isaiah 58, will truly transform our lives, draw us closer to God and straighten our pathway to eternal life. 

The current issue of The Word Among Us can and will inspire us to be more passionate in our Lenten observance and, through sacrifice and prayer, draw us closer to Our Lord and Savior.   

Below are some bible stories about Fasting featured in the current issue.  But we also encourage you to go to the site and prayerfully reflect on the three articles of Fasting for this Lenten season.  It could change your spiritual life.

Blow the Trumpet Call the Assembly

It’s All About Prayer: Discerning a “True” Fast from a False One

Open Our Eyes Lord: Fasting Creates a Hunger for God’s Leading

Hear and Answer Us, O Lord!

Helpful Stories from the Bible about Fasting

For answers to prayer: “We fasted and prayed to our God for this, and our petition was granted” (Ezra 8:23). Burdened with embarrassment about having to ask the Persian king for an army to protect him and his fellow travelers, Ezra fasted and prayed, and the king granted his request.

For forgiveness of sin: “When they were gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out on the ground before the Lord, and they fasted that day, confessing, ‘We have sinned against the Lord’” ?(1 Samuel 7:6). Samuel led God’s people in a fast to celebrate the return of the Ark of the Covenant and to pray that Israel might be forgiven of the sin that allowed the Ark to be captured in the first place.

For clarity and guidance: “Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus. For three days he was unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank” (Acts 9:8-9). Having just experienced a traumatic conversion, Paul fasted for three days while he tried to reconcile himself to the fact that he had been wrong to persecute the Christians. After three days, he was visited by Ananias, a Christian leader in Damascus, who prayed over him, restored his eyesight, and helped him gain clarity on God’s calling for him.

For a special calling or mission: “He will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb” (Luke 1:15). John the Baptist adopted a rigorous fast to help keep him focused on his ministry.

Appeal to God for protection: “Fast on my behalf, all of you, not eating or drinking, night or day, for three days. I and my maids will also fast in the same way. Thus prepared, I will go to the king” (Esther 4:16). It was against the law for a woman to appeal to the king in Babylon. But Esther dared to do this so that she could plead with the king to protect her people from destruction. Prior to taking this bold step, Esther asked all the Jews to fast and pray that God would protect her. The king welcomed her, heard her petition, and saved the Jews.

 

Share
Also tagged , , , , , – No Comments

Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust

February 17, 2010

Share
Also tagged , – No Comments

40 Days for Life Kicks Off Tomorrow

February 16, 2010

UPDATE: 40 Days for Life is kicking off its spring 2010 campaign with a live webcast tonight. The webcast begins at 7pm Eastern time and may be viewed online at www.ustream.tv/channel/40days.

Particularly fitting for the beginning of Lent tomorrow, 40 Days for Life kicks off another cycle of peaceful prayer outside of abortion clinics on Ash Wednesday.

What is 40 Days for Life? It’s a community-based campaign that aims to draw attention to the evils of abortion through prayer and fasting, constant vigil and community outreach. It’s a peaceful approach to show communities the consequences of abortion. The campaign is based on the Biblical time of 40 days where God used those time periods to transform and change individuals and communities.

When was 40 Days for Life started? In 2007. Since then, there have been five 40 Days for Life campaigns mobilizing people of all faiths and backgrounds in 282 cities in all 50 states in the US, six Canadian provinces and in locations in Australia, Northern Ireland and Denmark. Over 300,000 people have joined in our efforts and more than 9,500 church congregations have participated in the 40 Days for Life campaigns.

Have the efforts of 40 Days for Life saved lives? Yes – we can document 2,168 lives saved from abortion and those are the ones we know about. Also, 27 abortion workers have quit their jobs and 5 abortion clinics have completely shut down following the 40 Days for Life campaigns.

How do I get involved? Check www.40DaysforLife.com to see the location nearest to you. Also, check your local church bulletin or website since many parishes have signed up for certain days during the campaign and are looking for volunteers to help. And remember you can also pray and fast for those who are participating if you are unable to.

 Let us all pray that the evils of abortion are exposed and pray for an end to abortion and especially for the success of this new 40 Days for Life campaign.

PS – participating in 40 Days for Life is a great thing to do for your Lenten devotion.

Share
Also tagged , , – No Comments

Need some ideas for Lent? We’ve got a few.

February 12, 2010

“What are you doing for Lent?” is a common question among Catholics. And with Ash Wednesday mere days away, hopefully we should be praying about how we will be spending our time during the sacrificial season in order to grow into a deeper relationship with Christ and prepare for Easter.

Tired of reverting back to the grade-school “I’m going to give up soda for Lent”? Here are some ideas we have of ways to sacrifice, strengthen your relationship with Christ and foster a better prayer life. If you have more, please share in the comment section.

1)  Pray more – set aside time in the morning or evening for prayer. Focus on reading the Bible, listening to God, or reading a daily devotional.

2)  Go to Adoration weekly – some churches have weekly Holy Hours and others even have a chapel set aside specifically for the Blessed Sacrament that’s open 24/7. Other parishes will work Adoration into their Lenten schedules. Just find the time, even for 10 minutes at a time, to go and spend the time with Jesus in this way.

3) Create a good habit – instead of giving something up, try inserting something good into your life this Lent. Are you a pessimist? Try to be more positive. Do you criticize your wife/husband, kids, co-workers a lot? Make an effort to be more encouraging.

4) Pray the Rosary daily – one of our SMS editors tried this during one Lent a few years ago and never stopped after those 40 days were over. Praying the Rosary daily is a wonderful way to meditate on the mysteries of Christ’s life and to learn more about Mary and how to emulate her piety, humble ways, trust, prayerful life, patience and charity.

5)  Participate in 40 Days for Life – pray for an end to abortion by peacefully praying outside abortion clinics with others during Lent. To find a location, go here: http://40daysforlife.com/location.cfm.

6)  Go to daily Mass – ok, we know that going to Mass daily is a big sacrifice but it can certainly be done and it is a beautiful way to show God how much you love Him. If your church offers it, go first thing in the morning before you start your day.

7)  Volunteer – make time to volunteer once a week or at least a few times during Lent. Find an organization, like The Missionaries of Charity, Catholic Charities, or your local soup kitchen, which means something to you and give of your time.

8)  Read one Psalm a day - the Psalms are a wonderful way to learn how to praise God and reading one or two daily can help us in our prayer.

9)  Fast – besides fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, choose one or two days a week to fast and choose a method that works for you (fasting till noon every day or on certain days, fasting from certain things like sweets or wine/beer, etc.). You will constantly be reminded in a physical way to pray.

10)  Pray The Angelus daily – the Angelus is a short prayer dedicated to the Incarnation that is prayed every day at Noon. Here’s the link to get the prayer: http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/Angelus.htm.

11)  Make time for your children – If you have kids, plan at least three or four special times just for them during Lent. Life is hectic but your family is the foundation of the Church and make sure to spend time building that up. Take your kids mini-golfing, hiking, biking, on a lunch date, or even to the local soup kitchen for a family volunteering day.

12)  Give up something that you like – truly give up something that you really like, for example a certain drink/food, coffee, television, a website that you waste lots of time on (not this one though!), etc.

13)  Strengthen your marriage – Did you see the movie Fireproof? It’s an awesome movie about working on marriage and in it, the husband does 40 days of selfless acts for his wife and she never figures it out until the end of the movie. There’s a book, the Love Dare, that goes along with the movie and we highly recommend it for a Lenten devotion for married couples: http://www.lovedarebook.com/.

14)  Read up on your favorite Saint – find a book about your favorite saint and read it during Lent. The saints are so inspiring and the Church gives us their examples to help lead us to heaven. http://www.catholic.org/saints/

15)  Give of your resources – during Lent, if you can, give a little more money to your church, your favorite charity or to the poor box.

16)  Pray for priests and for the Pope – during this year of the priest, set aside time to pray especially for our priests and for our Holy Father. They all have the enormous task of shepherding the Church and we should never neglect to pray for them.

17)  Go to Confession – the sacrament of Confession gives us so much grace to help avoid temptation and sin and live the lives that Christ wants us to live. Make it a priority to go to Confession 3 times during Lent.

18)  Forgive – is there a person in your life you have been having trouble forgiving? Don’t hold that resentment any longer. Pray about it and ask God to help you forgive. You’ll be amazed at the burden that will be lifted from you.

 So these are a few of our ideas but we want to hear from you. What are you doing for Lent?

Share
Also tagged , , , , , – 1 Comment