It was another great turnout for our group this week. We had 14 of us there. We've had 14 a couple times in the past that I can remember. I was hoping one more member would show up and become the 15th person. That would have been the first time that I know of that we would have had 15 people together. Maybe next time.
Welcome to our newest member - Norm! We were all glad to have you there and even happier that you mentioned that you came as a result of our group being mentioned as a part of the stewardship program outreach announcement during Sunday Mass. We all hope to see you again and again!
Our discussion seemed to focus around our realization that the Lenten season is a focused time for us to test ourselves to be who we want to be. To be who God is calling us to be.
Michael mentioned a salesman who discussed how he could automatically add to his bank savings account by signing up for a regular automatic decduction. He related this to our spiritual lives. We don't have that option with God. We can't sign up for an "automatic spritiual deposit" into our "faith accounts." We are called to make deposits into this account through our actions. This was another reminder of what the Lenten season is about.
Troy mentioned that we should spend more time reading about the Saints. Of course, I first thought he meant the SUPER BOWL CHAMPION SAINTS - but he meant the Saints in heaven. Sorry - selfish moment there! But we all agreed that there is a lot to be gained from spending time reading about, learning about, and praying to the Saints.
I can not remember who mentioned it, but someone mentioned that there was a proverb that spoke to the thought of resisting temptation nad it will flee from you. I could not find a proverb that spoke directly to this point, but I did come across a quote from the book of James, James 4: 7 - it says:
So submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
It's about changing our behaviors and the rewards and peace that result from choosing to do so.
Finally - Jay Schmidt mentioned that there are Chapel Prayer Services during Lent on Friday's at 7 PM. The prayer services will be held during lent and include prayers from the Pieta Prayer Booklet and the St. Bridget Prayers. You can read more about the 15 St. Brigdget Prayers at http://www.medjugorje.org/pieta.htm
Have a wonderful, Christ centered week!
-Eric
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Second Day of Lent
So, today is the second day of lent. I've been thinking about this blog post all day and can't really come up with anything poignant to say. Maybe that's ok.
I'll just take the opportunity to say thank you to Jesus for his sacrifice. He did it for me. And you.
I pray that I find strength in his willingness to die for my sins. I'll pray tonight for guidance about what to post on here tomorrow.
I'll just take the opportunity to say thank you to Jesus for his sacrifice. He did it for me. And you.
I pray that I find strength in his willingness to die for my sins. I'll pray tonight for guidance about what to post on here tomorrow.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Choose to move
The Lenten Season is upon us. The arrival of Ash Wednesday brings, for all of us, a sense of repentance and an opportunity to look within ourselves to assess our spiritual health.
What came to me today as I contemplated the beginning of this season was that this is, uniquely, a time that WE can CHOOSE to MOVE towards God. So much of our year is spent in prayer about preparation, hope, and other passive spritual activies. I realized today that the season of Lent is a time that we can actively MOVE towards God and His will.
As Catholics, we grew up knowing that we had to "give up" something for Lent. Oh, boy - we thought. Here we go again. Candy, movies, soda, meat, or whatever it was. Growing up, it was just what you did. Give something up. But what did it MEAN?
Giving something up means changing your behavior. And everytime you go to the activity or item that you give up, you are reminded of what Jesus gave up for US. Your choice, our choice, to participate in a sacrifice - even a small one - is a way for us to MOVE towards God.
It's pretty cool if you think about it. We can actually demonstrate our love to God. We can SHOW Him that we love Him. Not in a self-seving sort of way, but in a selfless manner. I love the idea that God gave us this gift - a gift of actively particpating is His love. So amazing!
What came to me today as I contemplated the beginning of this season was that this is, uniquely, a time that WE can CHOOSE to MOVE towards God. So much of our year is spent in prayer about preparation, hope, and other passive spritual activies. I realized today that the season of Lent is a time that we can actively MOVE towards God and His will.
As Catholics, we grew up knowing that we had to "give up" something for Lent. Oh, boy - we thought. Here we go again. Candy, movies, soda, meat, or whatever it was. Growing up, it was just what you did. Give something up. But what did it MEAN?
Giving something up means changing your behavior. And everytime you go to the activity or item that you give up, you are reminded of what Jesus gave up for US. Your choice, our choice, to participate in a sacrifice - even a small one - is a way for us to MOVE towards God.
It's pretty cool if you think about it. We can actually demonstrate our love to God. We can SHOW Him that we love Him. Not in a self-seving sort of way, but in a selfless manner. I love the idea that God gave us this gift - a gift of actively particpating is His love. So amazing!
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