Lenten Reflection Day 35: Psalm 102:2

Listen to the audio version here: https://anchor.fm/simplediakonia/episodes/Lenten-Reflection-Day-35-Psalm-1022-etcof7

“Lord, hear my prayer;

let my cry come to you.” (Psalm 102:2)

Reflection:

Prayer and Lent are inseparable. One sustains the other.

Prayer is Lent, and Lent is prayer.

In prayer with talk with the Lord, in Lent, the Lord listens to us.

Prayer comes from our heart, and Lent flows from the heart of Jesus.

Prayer is our voice, and Lent unites our voices with our Savior.

In prayer, we seek relief, and in Lent, we find refuge.

Today’s Intention

You know my prayer, O Lord, have mercy on me.

Jesus, you shared our humanity; wipe away our tears.

Holy Spirit, you are our advocate; we trust our prayers to you.

Peace and Goodness

Lenten Reflection Day 34: Psalm 23:4

Listen to audio version here: https://anchor.fm/simplediakonia/episodes/Lenten-Reflection-Day-34-Psalm-234-et7hcs

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4)

Reflection:

Lent can be challenging. Even the most fervent believer struggles at times in their prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. However, agony in itself is a reminder to continue to fix our gaze upon Jesus unless we want to live in fear. For Jesus walked in the shadow of death and overcame it and by the grace of the Holy Spirit so can we.

Today’s Intention:

Your presence, O God, is the light of goodness and mercy in troubled times. May we dwell in your house with Jesus and the Holy Spirit this Lenten season and always.

Peace and Goodness

Lenten Reflection Day 31: Matthew 1:20

Listen to the audio version here: https://anchor.fm/simplediakonia/episodes/Lenten-Reflection-Day-31-Matthew-120-et07an

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.” (Matthew 1:20)

Reflection

We know little about St. Joseph, the husband of Mary. What we do know, however, is a blessing.

The descendent of a human king obediently humbled himself for the glory of the divine King. He fasted from fear to serve his family courageously. He was a righteous man, a man of prayer. When it meant the most, he trusted in his faith to protect his family from peril and, indirectly, us from the sting of death.

Today’s Intention

Lord, you give us St. Joseph as an example of righteousness, obedience, and courage. May we, who are responsible for others’ care, enjoy the same graces of humility, fortitude, and charity from the Holy Spirit as we near the end of the Lenten season and beyond.

St. Joseph, pray for us.

Peace and Goodness

Lenten Reflection Day 9: Psalm 51:12

Listen here: https://anchor.fm/simplediakonia/episodes/Lenten-Reflection-Day-9-Psalm-5112-er21tf

“A clean heart create for me, God;

renew within me a steadfast spirit.” (Psalm 51:12)

Reflection:

Before entering the desert, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus. Therefore, during his Lent, Jesus was not alone; the love of God was in his heart, which Jesus kept cleaned and willing through humility, prayer, and fasting.

The good news for us is that during our baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon us too. We are not alone during our Lenten journey. Let us seek to be humble, prayerful, and abstinent as well.

Today’s Intention:

O God, I desire a clean and willing heart today and always. May the Holy Spirit sustain me.

Peace and Goodness