Opening Prayer: Let us pray    for the courage to follow Christ. Father, help us to be like Christ your Son, who loved the world and died for our salvation. Inspire us by his love, guide us by his example,  who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Alternate Opening Prayer: Let us pray    for the courage to embrace the world in the name of Christ. Father in heaven, the love of your Son led him to accept the suffering of the cross that his brothers and sisters might glory in new life. Change our selfishness into self-giving. Help us to embrace the world you have given us, that we may transform the darkness of its pain into the life and joy of Easter. Grant this through Christ our Lord.

The Readings: Ezekiel 37:12-14; Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8; Romans 8:8-11; John 11:1-45

Daily Meditation:
Inspired by his love, guided by his example,
change our selfishness into self-giving.
Today we celebrate the Third Scrutiny,
as we journey to the font with those preparing for Baptism.
We are in our last week before Holy Week.
It seems that there is so much left to do, to ask for, to be open to, to surrender, to change.
Jesus assures us that he is the "resurrection and the life,"
that if we place our faith in him, we will never die.
    "I am troubled now. Yet what should I say?
     'Father, save me from this hour'?
     But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour.
     Father, glorify your name."

Today we beg for the graces we need and desire this week.
We ask for courage in the journey ahead.

If we are celebrating the Third Scrutiny,
with the Elect journeying to the font of Baptism,
then we'll probably be using the gospel about the raising of Lazarus.

 [Learn more about the Scrutinies here.]

Today's Daily Reflection

Intercessions:
Let us praise our loving Redeemer, who gained for us this season of grace.
Let us pray to him, saying:
   Lord, create a new spirit in us.

Christ, our life, through baptism we were buried with you and rose to new life with you,
 - may we walk today in newness of life.
Lord, you have brought blessings to all mankind,
 - bring us to share your concern for the good of all.
May we work together to build up the earthly city,
 - with our eyes fixed on the city that lasts forever.
Healer of body and soul, cure the sickness of our spirit,
 - so that we may grow in holiness through your constant care.

Closing Prayer:
My Loving Lord,
it's so hard to love the world sometimes
and to love it the way Jesus did seems impossible.
Help me to be inspired by his love and
guided by his example.
Most of all, I want to accept that I can't do it alone,
and that trying is an arrogance of self-centeredness.
I need you, dear God, to give me support in this journey.
Show me how to unlock my heart
so that I am less selfish.
Let me be less fearful of the pain and darkness
that will be transformed by you into Easter joy.

Opening Prayer:

Lord,
help us to do your will
that your Church may grow
and become more faithful in your service.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit
one God, for ever and ever.

The Readings:  Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 102:2-3, 16-21; John 8:21-30

Daily Meditation:

May we be lifted up with you.
In the first reading, lifting up the image of a serpent
healed and protected the people during their
journey of liberation in the desert.

In the gospel, like a trial scene, Jesus is defending himself.
They want to know who he is.
They want to know him - but they resist knowing him.
He tells them that they'll really know him
when he is "lifted up."
They will lift him up on the cross, to be put to death.
God transformed that tragedy, by letting his death
"pay the price" for all of our sins.

When we look at a crucifix, we look at the image of
the one who is "lifted up" in Glory.
He is lifted up for our liberation from sin and death.

Let us give him thanks, from the bottom of our hearts.
Our celebration of our glorious salvation is near.

"When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself."

Put your hope in the Lord.  Take courage and be strong.  - Ps. 26:14

O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.  Ps. 102:2
 

Today's Daily Reflection

Intercessions:
Praise to Christ, who has given us himself as the bread from heaven. Let us pray to him, saying:
   Jesus, you feed and heal our souls; come to strengthen us.

Lord, feed us at the banquet of the Eucharist,
 - with all the gifts of your paschal sacrifice.
Give us a perfect heart to receive your word,
 - that we may bring forth fruit in patience.
Make us eager to work with you in building a better world,
 - so that it may listen to your Church and its gospel of peace.
We confess, Lord, that we have sinned,
 - wash us clean by your gift of salvation.

Closing Prayer:
Loving God,
You have heard my complaints, my impatience.
Sometimes I become frightened when I move away from you.
Guide my heart back to you.
Help me to think beyond my own wants
and to desire only to do you will.

Thank you for the many blessings in my life
and for the ways I feel your presence.

Daily Lent Prayer
"Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
Father of mercy,
hear the prayers of your repentant children
who call on you in love.
Enlighten our minds and sanctify our hearts.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit
one God, for ever and ever.

The Readings:  Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Daniel 3:52-56; John 8:31-42

Daily Meditation:
Enlighten our minds and sanctify our hearts.
In our reflection, Jesus is about to face a fiery furnace,
which represents the full rejection of all our sins,
and the crushing defeat of death itself.
Praying the Stations again,
might help us grow in a sense that this is all "for me," for my freedom.

We grow in a sense of repentance and deep sorrow.
We grow in a desire to celebrate
the glorious Light in the midst of all darkness.

Rid yourself of all your sins
and make a new heart and a new spirit.
Gospel antiphon, based upon Ezekiel 18:31

Today's Daily Reflection

Intercessions:
Blessed be God, the giver of salvation, who decreed that mankind should become a new creation in himself,
when all would be made new.  With great confidence let us ask him:
   Lord, renew us in your Spirit.

Lord, you promised a new heaven and a new earth; renew us daily through your Spirit,
 - that we may enjoy your presence for ever in the heavenly Jerusalem.
Help us to work with you to make this world alive with your Spirit,
 - and to build on earth a city of justice, love and peace.
Free us from all negligence and sloth,
 - and give us joy in your gifts of grace.
Deliver us from evil,
 - and from slavery to the senses, which blinds us to goodness.

Closing Prayer:
Loving Creator,
I know in your great love for me,
you see the deep sorrow in my heart.
Hear my prayers which are offered with such trust in you.

Be with me in both mind and heart
as I renew my life in your spirit.

Daily Lent Prayer
"Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:

Lord,
come to us:
free us from the stain of our sins.
Help us to remain faithful to a holy way of life,
and guide us to the inheritance you have promised.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit
one God, for ever and ever.

The Readings:  Genesis 17: 3-9; Psalm 105:4-9; John 8:51-59

Daily Meditation:
Come to us, free us, help us, and guide us.
We pray more intensely now, just a week before Holy Thursday.  
We desire more and more that we might be free.  
Sorrow leads to profound gratitude, 
when we experience the depth of unconditional love offered us.  
The gratitude of a loved sinner leads to great generosity.

Christ is the mediator of a new covenant so that since he has died, 
those who are called may receive the eternal inheritance promised to them.
The Entrance Antiphon - Hebrews 9:15
 
Today's Daily Reflection

Intercessions:
Christ our Lord came among us as the light of the world,
that we might walk in his light, and not in the darkness of death. 
Let us praise him and cry out to him:
   Let your word be a lamp to guide us.

God of mercy, help us today to grow in your likeness,
 - that we who sinned in Adam may rise again in Christ.
Let your word be a lamp to guide us,
 - that we may live the truth and grow always in your love.
Teach us to be faithful in seeking the common good for your sake,
 - that your light may shine on the whole human family by means of your Church.
Touch our hearts to seek your friendship more and more,
 - and to make amends for our sins against your wisdom and goodness.

Closing Prayer:
Lord,
all I want is to be faithful to you in my life,
but so often I fail.
Free me from my many sins
and guide me to the life I will share with you.
I wait for your promise to be fulfilled
with great hope in my heart
and your praise on my lips.

Daily Lent Prayer
"Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:

Lord,
grant us your forgiveness,
and set us free from our enslavement to sin.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit
one God, for ever and ever.

The Readings:  Jeremiah 20:10-13; Psalm 18:2-7; John 10:31-42

Daily Meditation:
Set us free.
On this Friday before Good Friday,
it might be most appropriate to make the Stations.
Our desire is becoming more focused and more intense.
After our weeks of reflection, we know that our selfishness has placed us in ruts,
has made us slaves to some very unhappy and sometimes death-dealing patterns.
The celebration of our freedom and healing is close at hand.

Jesus carried our sins in his own body on the cross
so that we could die to sin and live in holiness;
by his wounds we have been healed.
The Communion Antiphon - 1 Peter 2:24

Today's Daily Reflection

Intercessions:
Thanks be to Christ the Lord, who brought us life by his death on the cross.
With our whole heart let us ask him:
   By your death raise us to life.

Teacher and Savior, you have shown us your fidelity and made us a new creation by your passion,
  - keep us from falling again into sin.
Help us to deny ourselves today,
  - and not deny those in need.
May we receive this day of penance as your gift,
  - and give it back to you through works of mercy.
Master our rebellious hearts,
  - and teach us generosity.

Closing Prayer:
Most forgiving Lord,
again and again you welcome me back into your loving arms.
Grant me freedom from the heavy burdens of sin
that weigh me down
and keep me so far from you.

Daily Lent Prayer
"Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Opening Prayer:

Father,
you entrusted our Savior to the care of St. Joseph.

By the help of his prayers
may your Church continue to serve its Lord, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.

The Readings: Jeremiah 18:18-20; Psalm 31:5-6, 14, 15-16; Matthew 20:17-28

Daily Meditation:
Joseph took her into his home.
Just a few days before the Annunciation, we turn to Joseph,
in his role as "husband of Mary."
Joseph can help us with our Lenten journey.
He did what the Lord asked him to do.
He became a servant who could not have fully understood God's ways.

When Joseph awoke,
     he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
     and took his wife into his home.

Today's Daily Reflection

Intercessions
All fatherhood in heaven and on earth has its origin in God.
Let us turn to him and pray:

   Our Father in heaven, hear our prayer.

All-holy Father, you revealed to St. Joseph
your eternal plan of salvation in Christ,
  - deepen our understanding of your Son, true God and true man.
Father in heaven, you feed the birds of the air
and clothe the fields with the fruit of the earth,
  - give all your children their daily bread
   to sustain soul and body.
Maker of the universe, you have entrusted your creation to our safekeeping,
  - may all who work receive a just reward for their labors.
God of all righteousness, you want us all to be like you,
  - May St. Joseph inspire us all to walk always in your way of holiness.
Look kindly on the dying and dead, and grant them your mercy,
  - through the intercession of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Closing Prayer:
God of Love,
Joseph was the husband of Mary,
and you entrusted Jesus to his care.
I am inspired by his fidelity and integrity
as your self-sacrificing servant.
Allow Joseph to offer strength, courage,
fidelity and tender self-less love
to all husbands.
Let this holy family renew in me
the desire to be your servant,
faithful in the vocation you have given me.