Thursday Devotion March 10, 2022

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Sunday Reflection (March 13, 2022)

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The traditional Lenten discipline of self-denial is a spiritual response to our self-indulgences and lashing out at others. No, our devotion will not save us:  Only God can do that, but it does assist us in becoming more aware of how self-indulgent we can be, and how our self-indulgence prevents us from being faithful to others, especially the poor and vulnerable. It also causes us to examine how we strive against others to get ahead or get even.

The life of the Apostle Paul was shaped by the kingdom of heaven revealed in the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Does your heavenly citizenship shape your life? Is your commitment to a heavenly “citizenship” one among many? Or is it the one that directs your other commitments? Remember, we, Christ’s Church, are a colony of heaven upon earth, but we can be “so heavenly minded we are no earthly good.” May our “heavenly citizenship” lead us to make the world a better place while we are here (Philippians 3:17-4:1).

 

Prayer for the Week (March 13, 2022-March 19, 2022)

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Let us pray to our seemingly invisible Father in heaven:  Invisible God,
with the incarnation of your Son, Jesus Christ, we see a reflection of you in your Son.
You also give us the Holy Spirit who enables us in prayer and in the search for your truth.
In our worship, strengthen us to know your purpose for us and the world.  Amen.

                                                                                  (Prayers for the Seasons of God’s People, alt)

Tuesday Devotion March 8, 2022

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Sunday Reflection (March 6, 2022)

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In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is tempted to ostentatiously display divine power to gain more fans and personal advancement. Jesus was not into sensationalism and a mass popular appeal that glorifies the self, and personal advancement at the expense of others; rather, Jesus glorified God the Father by showing by his way of life what this God is like (Luke 4:1-13).

Make Lenten Season a time to carefully observe how you follow Christ, and where you need to repent as a follower of Jesus Christ. When we followers of Jesus become aware of our continual need to repent and make amends, we learn the joy of learning repentance: The present and future don’t have to be like the past. Life can be different when we take responsibility for actions and find ways to bring peace and healing to all our relationships as much as possible.

 

Prayer for the Week (March 6, 2022-March 12, 2022)

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Let us pray to our living God that we turn our heart to God:  God, lead us through the Holy Spirit with your Son Jesus to the desert of questions and temptations so that you speak to our heart and bring us back to you in loving trust.  Help us to discard all that leads us astray and to look for you and the plans you have for us and for the world.  May your Spirit give us the mentality of Jesus, so that we seek your will in all we do.  Amen.                                                             (Claretian Publications)

Thursday Devotion March 3, 2022

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Tuesday Devotion March 1, 2022

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Sunday Reflection (February 27, 2022)

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To me, an old, battered piece of furniture is just an old piece of battered furniture; however, to a craftsman who restores woodwork it has great “potential”
because he/she can restore it and make it beautiful and useful again.

Think of the Holy Spirit as the craftsman who renews God’s Image within us and among us. We are all in the process of becoming the person and Church that God intends
(2 Corinthians 3:17-18).  May we “behold” Jesus Christ and listen to the Holy Spirit and grow in an awareness of God’s love and our potential to embody that love
that overcomes hatred and malice. May we reflect the glory of God as Moses and as Christ’s.

 

Prayer for the Week (February 27, 2022-March 5, 2022)

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Let us pray that we grow in the likeness of Christ:  God of life and glory, at the Mount of Transfiguration your Son was revealed in splendor before he suffered death upon the cross. Grant that we, beholding his majesty, be strengthened to follow him and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; for he eternally dwells with you and the Holy Spirit, One God now and forever.  Amen.
                                                             (New Zealand Prayer Book)