Reflective Moments Moments Reflective February 2009
The purpose of Reflective Moments is to offer you a way to incorporate the spirit of Saint Angela Merici into your own lives. We hope that it enriches you spiritually.
Lent brings us back to Baptism By Sister Marietta Wethington, OSU
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s I write this reflection on Lent, we have just celebrated the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. How appropriate. Fr. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M., suggests that the first thought that should come to our minds when we say the word “Lent” is Baptism. Fr. Richstatter, a liturgist, believes Baptism provides the richest symbol for what we do during Lent. In the 4th and 5th centuries Lent was a 40-day retreat for the catechumens, those preparing for Baptism, at the Easter Vigil. Later the Church began the practice of infant baptism and the focus of Lent shifted to sacrifice and penance. For those of us who were baptized as infants, Lent is a good time to reflect on and to renew our baptismal promises made for us by our parents and godparents. Through them Feb. 25-April 11, 2009 we promised to reject Satan, his works, and his empty promises. We gave a resounding “I do” to the questions: “Do you believe in God? Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Do you believe in the Holy Spirit and the Holy, Catholic Church?” It takes a lifetime for us to internalize all those “ I dos.” Each Lent the Church offers us the opportunity to renew those promises and to once again say, “I do.” In the Easter Vigil liturgy, after the catechumens are baptized, we are asked: “Do you reject…. Do you believe…. Do you wish to renew your Baptismal promises? If we spent the 40 days of Lent focusing on Baptism through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, no doubt, we can speak our “I do” without hesitation. See other side
For Your Reflection
Go with Angela to the feet of Jesus. Ask Jesus and Angela to help you prepare your heart for your Lenten journey.
Reflect on the promises you made at Baptism. How do you live them out in your life today? What is the sin you need to reject to live as a child of God? To what is God inviting you to die? For what is God inviting you to live? Baptism made us missionaries – not the ones who go off to a faraway country, but who live their lives conscious of the gospel and the presence of Jesus. What part of your world needs the presence of Jesus and how can you make his presence visible? What will you do this Lent to make it a baptismal retreat?
Prayer:
Loving God, we come to know you in the dying and the rising of our lives. Help us to be faithful and committed to you, knowing that you are always with us – in good times and in bad, in life and in death, and in everlasting life. Amen.
- Father Michael Himes
An Intentional Minute... WINTER
As the earth lies wrapped in the darkness of short winter days, the spirit of Angela Merici is at work. Just as the seeds of life lie dormant in the earth, so we spend these winter months seeking a few moments for solitude and growth. Let’s be grateful for the warmth of Winter – for warm blankets, for kind words, warm smiles, and God’s enduring love. – By Marian Bennett, Director of Ursuline Partnerships
Winter scene at Maple Mount
Join us as we pray for one another! Send your prayer requests for friends and loved ones to the E-mail Prayer Network. Write the Ursuline Partnerships office, 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356 Call 270-229-2006 • E-mail associates@maplemount.org