Lent & Holy Week

1. Take a deep breath. Invite God to be part of this time of sacred reading.
2. Read a short passage of scripture, out loud if possible.
   
3. Pause after reading the scripture, to reflect on it.
   
4. Write down your reflections after each reading, to keep yourself in a slower, more reflective mindset.
   
5. Repeat steps 2 and 3, reflecting on the scripture in different ways each time. Use these questions to guide your time of reflection:
   First reading: What is a word or phrase that touches your heart?
   Second reading: Where do you hear or see Christ in the text?
   Third reading: How is Christ calling you forth into doing or being?
   
6. Close by praying, asking God for that which you found in the scripture.

Exodus 20:8-11  

8 “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work. 10 But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and consecrated it.  

Mark 2:23-28  

23 One Sabbath he was going through the grain fields, and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25 And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food, 26 how he entered the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions?” 27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for humankind and not humankind for the Sabbath, 28 so the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” 

Genesis 2:2-3 (NIV): "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day, he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done."

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV): "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Exodus 33:14 (NIV): "The Lord replied, 'My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'"

Hebrews 4:9-10 (NIV): "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his."

Psalm 46:10 (NIV): "He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'"

Psalm 23:2-3 (NIV): "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul."

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV): "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Prayer of the week

Gracious God, as this week begins, we seek Your rest. Help us recognize that in resting, we find strength. Grant us the wisdom to prioritize moments of peace and tranquility, trusting in Your provision. Amen.

Ancient Prayer

"Thou hast made us for Thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in Thee." The Prayer of St. Augustine

Sabbath Keeping: Observing a Sabbath day, traditionally a day of rest and worship, provides a structured rhythm of rest. It involves setting aside a specific day for spiritual reflection, rest, and spending time in communion with God and loved ones.

Journaling and Reflection: Taking time to journal thoughts, feelings, and reflections can serve as a form of mental rest. Writing allows individuals to process emotions, release stress, and gain clarity.

Digital Detox and Unplugging: Intentionally disconnecting from technology and digital distractions for a period can offer mental and emotional rest. This practice creates space for deeper connections and inner peace.

Luke 6:27-36  

27 “But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; 28 bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you, and if anyone takes away what is yours, do not ask for it back again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive payment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.[e] Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 

Duet 4:31 (NIV) For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath.

Luke 6:36 (NIV): "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

Psalm 103:8 (NIV): "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love."

Colossians 3:12 (NIV): "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

Micah 6:8 (NIV): "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Galatians 6:2 (NIV): "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Romans 12:8 (NIV) if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Prayer of the week

Gracious God, as this week begins, open our hearts to recognize Your call to mercy. Help us discern the needs around us and guide us in responding with compassion and kindness. Let Your love flow through us as we seek to show mercy as You have shown us. Amen.

Ancient Prayer

Kyrie Eleison: Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy

Prayer and Contemplation: Engaging in prayer or contemplative practices that focus on God's mercy, seeking His guidance in embodying mercy towards others, can deepen one's understanding of the call to mercy

Practicing Forgiveness: Engaging in intentional acts of forgiveness, both towards oneself and others, is a powerful spiritual practice aligned with mercy.

Acts of Kindness: Deliberately seeking opportunities to perform acts of kindness, whether small or significant, can foster a spirit of mercy.

John 1:1-2; 10-14; 16-18

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.

10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own,[c] and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son,[d] full of grace and truth. 

16 From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.[e] 17 The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. It is the only Son, himself God, who[f] is close to the Father’s heart,[g] who has made him known.

John 3:16

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

Psalm 145: 8-9 The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV): "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."

2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV): "He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time."

Acts 20:24 (NIV): "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace."

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."

Hebrews 4:16 (NIV): "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Prayer of the week

Gracious God, as this week begins, help us embrace Your boundless grace. May we recognize the depth of Your love that extends unconditionally to us. Guide us to live in the freedom and security of Your grace. Amen.

Ancient Prayer

"Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all I have and call my own. You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace; that is enough for me." Prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola

Gratitude Practice: Cultivating a habit of gratitude fosters an awareness of God's grace in daily life. Being thankful for blessings, both big and small, helps individuals recognize God's goodness and grace.

Fellowship and Community: Being part of a faith community provides opportunities to experience God's grace through mutual support, encouragement, and the sharing of spiritual experiences.

Service and Acts of Kindness: Engaging in acts of service and kindness towards others allows individuals to embody God's grace by extending love, compassion, and forgiveness to those in need.

Philippians 4:4-9

4 Rejoice[b] in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.[c] 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about[d] these things. 9 As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you.

Psalm 29:11 (NIV) The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

John 14:27 (NIV): "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Philippians 4:7 (NIV): "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Matthew 5:9 (NIV): "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."

Colossians 3:15 (NIV): "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

Psalm 34:14 (NIV): "Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it."

Isaiah 26:3 (NIV): "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you."

Prayer of the week

Gracious God, as this week begins, guide us towards inner peace. Help us find serenity amidst life's demands and grant us the strength to navigate challenges with calmness and tranquility. Amen.

Ancient Prayer

• "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: 
• where there is hatred, let me sow love; 
• where there is injury, pardon; 
• where there is doubt, faith; 
• where there is despair, hope; 
• where there is darkness, light; 
• where there is sadness, joy.  

• O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek 
• to be consoled as to console, 
• to be understood as to understand, 
• to be loved as to love. 
• For it is in giving that we receive, 
• it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, 
• and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life." 

• St. Francis of Assisi 

Prayer and Contemplation: Engaging in prayer or contemplative practices that focus on God's mercy, seeking His guidance in embodying mercy towards others, can deepen one's understanding of the call to mercy

Practicing Forgiveness: Engaging in intentional acts of forgiveness, both towards oneself and others, is a powerful spiritual practice aligned with mercy.

Acts of Kindness: Deliberately seeking opportunities to perform acts of kindness, whether small or significant, can foster a spirit of mercy.

Luke 12:13-21

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” 16 Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. 17 And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ 18 Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”

John 10:10 (NIV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV): "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Psalm 16:11 (NIV): "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV): "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

Philippians 4:19 (NIV): "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Matthew 6:33 (NIV): "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Prayer of the week

Gracious God, as this week begins, help us embrace Your abundant love. May we recognize the richness of Your presence in our lives and experience the fullness of Your grace. Amen.

Ancient Prayer

"Teach us, good Lord, to serve You as You deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do Your will."

The Prayer of St. Ignatius Loyola

Journaling and Reflection: Writing down thoughts, feelings, and experiences helps individuals recognize the abundance in their lives and encourages self-reflection on blessings.

Generosity and Sharing: Sharing resources, time, or talents with others promotes a sense of abundance by recognizing the abundance available for giving.

Intention Setting: Setting intentions aligned with experiencing abundance, whether in relationships, personal growth, or spiritual connection, helps focus efforts towards living abundantly.