Lenten Blog
Lent is a very special time in our spiritual journey. It is reflected in the Gospel readings these next three weeks. The Elect and the Candidates in the RCIA process will be celebrating the Scrutinies the next three weeks. The Scrutiny Rites are examinations of our lived out transformation in Christ or the lack of. While those in the RCIA will be doing this in a public forum at several of the Masses, we too are invited to self examine our spiritual growth. Our conversion process should be seen through the lenses of the conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman in this Sunday’s Gospel reading. It is the movement in understanding between the water that the woman offers Jesus and the Living Water that Jesus offers the woman. So, the question is where are we on this journey? Are we still dependant on the water the world has to offer - financial success, self-righteousness, pride, control and all those things that are in the intercessions for the scrutinies? Or, are we becoming aware of the Living Water that God has to offer us? What is it we truly thrust for and what are we quenching our thrust with?
If any one is concerned about their spiritual growth at this point and would like to talk in confidence, please let one of the clergy know and we will set some time aside for direction. This is also a good time to seek direction through the sacrament of Reconciliation.
Next week we will reflect on Reconciliation.
As we draw near to the living water of Easter, let us confront our struggles and ask the Lord to deliver us from the power of sin.
CANTOR: Our response will be…Deliver us, Lord (This is sung)
From the thirst for too many material possessions…
From shallow values…
From envy and greed…
From desire for revenge…
From infidelity…
From dishonesty…
From impatience…
From the desire to control or manipulate others…
From the abuse of power…
From the need for immediate gratification and praise…
From self-righteousness…
From pretense of self-sufficiency…
From arrogance and pride…
From the abuse of drugs and alcohol…
From filling our emptiness with noise and confusion…
From fear of knowing our true selves…
From our acceptance of our faults…
From fear of change…
Through the stillness where you speak…deliver us, Lord
Through fasting and prayer…
Through the desire for your truth…
Through the search for your way of holiness…
Through the faith of our family and community…
Through you Holy Spirit, dwelling within us…
In your abundant mercy…deliver us, Lord
In your great love for us…