The Word Among Us Lent 2018

Complete Catholic Mass and Daily Meditations LENT 2018

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DAILY MEDITATIONS: FEBRUARY 14–APRIL 1

The Promise of Lent Our Fasting, Prayer, and Almsgiving Can Change the World LENT_2018_MRE_ads.indd 1

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Lent 2018 | Volume 37, Number 4

Inside this issue. . .

The Promise of Lent Upward, Inward, Outward Setting a spiritual framework for Lent.

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When You Pray Lifting each other up during Lent.

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When You Fast It’s not all about food.

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When You Give Alms The keys of generosity and compassion.

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Daily Meditations February 14–April 1

page 23 This Issue’s Special Features

The

Spirit of Catholic Living

A Daily Approach to Prayer & Scripture

A “Pilgrim” in His Heart Let St. Ignatius guide your spiritual renewal this Lent.

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Finding God in All Things A guide to the Daily Examen.

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What a Friend We Have Seeing the passion and death of Jesus on-screen opened my eyes.

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Becoming a Better Man Prison was the last place I thought I’d find God.

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Online at wau.org, or call us at 1-800-775-WORD (9673). www.facebook.com/wordamongus

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Come into the Desert

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ave you ever noticed how quickly we take control of our lives when things are going well, but when a crisis arises we quickly and instinctively turn to God? It seems to be an all-too-human response.

Being lost in a desert for forty days with no way out would certainly qualify as a crisis. You would have to live without the normal conveniences of life: cars, grocery stores, air conditioning, or cell phones. You would have to ration your food and water so that you don’t run out. With all of that, as well as the unrelenting heat beating down on you every day, you’d be miserable. It would be hard not to turn to God and ask for help!

This is why the Church has a Lenten season. During Lent we take a step back from our day-to-day activities so that we can spend more time with Jesus. We also back away a bit from our comfort so that we will feel moved to seek God’s help.

Self-denial and deprivation are central to the season of Lent. Experience tells us that we don’t have much room for God when we are too busy or when we are feeling satisfied. And

so denying ourselves helps us create the space we need for the Lord to come into our hearts a little more deeply.

Emptied and Exalted. Jesus “emptied himself” when he came to earth (Philippians 2:7). He emptied himself of his glory. He emptied himself of his comfort. He even emptied himself of his human life when he died on the cross. Because of Jesus’ humility and self-emptying, God rewarded him greatly. Jesus was exalted above everything because of the way he chose to live.

The same thing can happen to us as we empty ourselves in order to make room for Jesus. We’ll be drawn closer to him. We’ll be more joyful. We’ll be more lighthearted.

As Jesus promised, “Whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12).

Of course, we are not talking about an actual forty-day trip into a desert.

We are talking about making ourselves hungry for God over the next forty days. This may involve choosing to eat less food or watch less television. It may involve giving up our free time to serve the poor, prisoners, or the elderly.

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T M U M O F C C O

C R U T e

Whatever you choose to do during your time in the desert, remember that Lent is not only about emptying ourselves. It’s also about filling our time with things that will draw us closer to God: prayer and Scripture reading, meditation and reflection, Mass and Confession, or anything else that opens us up to God’s grace.

More than one million people will be reading this Lenten issue of The Word Among Us. I’d like to ask all of us to go into the desert together by choosing the way of prayer, fasting,

The

and almsgiving. Let’s put aside the comforts of the world and our own sense of self-reliance for the next forty days so that we can draw closer to God. I pray that the articles and meditations in this magazine will help you make the most of this special season.

May God bless you and your loved ones this Lent.

Joe Difato Publisher (joe@wau.org)

Spirit of Catholic Living

Publisher: Joseph Difato, PhD Editor: Leo Zanchettin Associate Editor: Susan Heuver Features Editor: Kathryn Elliott Assistant Editor for International Editions: Lynne May Assistant Editor for Meditations: Hallie Riedel Contributing Writers: Ann Bottenhorn, Jill Boughton, Mary Cassell, Bob French, Theresa Keller, Christine Laton, Joel Laton, Laurie Magill, Lisa Sharafinski, Patty Whelpley Art Direction: David Crosson Design: Suzanne Earl Theological Advisors: Fr. Joseph A. Mindling, OFM Cap, Fr. Joseph F. Wimmer, OSA Proofreader: Ginger Roché TWAU Partners: Orlando Barros, Angela Burrin The Word Among Us, 7115 Guilford Dr. STE 100 Frederick, Maryland 21704.

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President: Jeff Smith Chief Operations Officer: Jack Difato General Manager: John Roeder The Word Among Us Press Sales Manager: Don Cooper Editor: Beth McNamara Associate Editor: Patricia Mitchell Production: Nancy Clemens Data Entry: Natalie Cleland Customer Service: Shannan Slovon Parish Service: Mary Callahan Internet Services: Theresa Keller Distribution: Diane Menapace Information Services: Darla Forbes, Melanie Goggin

Copyright © 2017 The Word Among Us. Articles in this booklet may be reproduced with prior approval of the publisher for use in Bible studies, discussion groups, religion classes, and the like. Excerpts from the New American Bible with Revised New Testament and Psalms, Copyright © 1991, 1986, 1970, by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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Upward Inward Photograph W.P. Wittman, wpwittman.com

Outward Setting a Spiritual Framework for Lent

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What am I going to give up this year?

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e’re all familiar with questions like this one. They come up every year around Ash Wednesday. “What should I give up? What can I give up? Is it enough? Is it too much?” Of course, these are good questions to ask, but all too often, they can be limited, and we forget to ask, “Why am I giving up these things?”

In this special Lent issue of The Word Among Us, we want to look at the traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. In this article, we want to establish a basic spiritual framework. The next article, then, will be dedicated to the topic of prayer, focusing mainly on intercessory prayer. The third article will be dedicated to fasting, with a focus on how fasting can help us put off the “old self” and put on the “new self” in Christ. And the final article, which is dedicated to almsgiving, will focus on attitudes like generosity and compassion more than on specifics of giving to those in need.

Three Keys to Growth. As a way to set the stage for these three topics, let’s step back and look at an overall philosophy for spiritual growth. To put it simply, the Church has always asked us to pay attention to three specific areas in our lives: the upward, the inward, and the outward.

The upward aspect has to do with our relationship with Jesus. It

involves our commitment to prayer, reading Scripture, receiving the Eucharist, repenting of our sins, and trying to stay close to the Lord in our everyday lives.

The inward aspect has to do with the state of our hearts. Scripture often describes this aspect as the place where we face the struggle between, as St. Paul says, the “old self” and the “new self” (Ephesians 4:22, 24). It’s in our inward lives that we say yes to the new self by embracing virtues like love, kindness, care, forgiveness, and compassion. And it’s in our inward lives that we say no to sinful patterns like anger, moodiness, hatred, resentment, and deception.

The outward aspect has to do with the way we care for the world around us. It focuses on our relationships with our friends and loved ones and our relationships with the poor, the suffering, and the needy. It focuses on evangelization and caring for those in need.

Of course, we really can’t separate these three aspects as neatly as we Lent 2018 | 5

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UPWARD:

“Can I make it a point as I pray to quiet my heart and try to sense God’s love?”

INWARD:

“Will I try to forgive people today, or will I let resentment get the upper hand?”

OUTWARD: “Can I become just a bit more loving toward other people today?”

have just described them. But it’s helpful to identify them so that we can make sure we are paying attention to the different ways God can work in us—as well as the different ways we can seek him out. As we become more aware of each of these aspects, we’ll find ourselves becoming closer to Jesus, more aware of our behavior, and more alert to the needs of those who are less fortunate.

Questions to Ponder. We examine all kinds of things in life—our health, our budget, our weight—because we want to make sure we are heading in the right direction. So let’s examine our spiritual condition as well.

Let’s look at each of these areas—the upward, the inward, and the outward—and ask how we are doing.

In reference to the upward, we might ask, “Can I set time aside to pray or go to Mass more regularly this Lent? Can I make it a point as I pray to quiet my heart and try to sense God’s love?”

In reference to the inward, we might ask, “Can I make it my goal to win the battle for my mind, or will I let my old self drag me down into sin today? Will I try to forgive people today, or will I let resentment get the upper hand?”

In reference to the outward, we might ask, “Can I become just a bit more loving toward other people today? Can I try my best to act like Jesus by offering kindness, support, and encouragement?”

Keep these questions in mind as you read the articles that follow.

The insert located in the middle of this magazine can also help you.

As we enter this Lenten season, let’s ask the Lord to fill us with his love (upward). Let’s ask him to confirm all the good in our lives and give us the grace to resist sin (inward). And let’s ask him to give us a heart for the poor so that we can become like Jesus and answer the cry of the poor (outward). !

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MEDITATIONS

FEBRUARY 14–17

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Wednesday, February 14 Ash Wednesday Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Your Father who sees . . .

(Matthew 6:4) Welcome to another season of Lent! Beginning today, we will be encouraged to take up the traditional practices of fasting, praying, and giving alms. Today, in fact, is set aside as a special day of fasting, along with a Mass where we will be marked with ashes and reminded that we are dust.

We’ll wonder what we should “give up” for Lent, and we’ll hear readings at Mass calling us to repent and follow Jesus more closely. In other words, this can be an intense season as we prepare for Easter.

But there’s another side to Lent.

It’s almost hidden in plain sight, tucked away three times in today’s Gospel reading: “Your Father who sees” (Matthew 6:4, 6, 18). It tells us that God is always looking on us in love, so we don’t have to work hard to get his attention. If anything, our Lenten observances are there to help us begin looking at him.

Open to the first page of Genesis, and you’ll find similar words.

God saw his creation and announced it to be “very good” (Genesis 1:31).

He was pleased, especially when he looked upon men and women—the crown of his creation.

Even when sin darkened his masterpiece, God never stopped seeing us with his eyes of love. In fact, he intensified his gaze, giving us the Law, the prophets, and, ultimately, Jesus himself. Even on the cross, Jesus was seeing us, looking on us with mercy and forgiveness.

This is the good news of Lent: God sees you. He knows you. He is committed to you. He loves you. No amount of work on your part can increase his love for you. It’s already complete, perfect.

By all means, do fast and pray and give alms! Just remember that these practices aren’t meant to grab hold of God’s attention. They’re meant to help you fix your eyes on your Father, who sees. And your Father, who sees, promises to reward you.

“Thank you, Father, that you see me with love. Help me gaze at you this Lent.” !

Joel 2:12-18 Psalm 51:3-6, 12-14, 17 2 Corinthians 5:20–6:2

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Thursday, February 15 Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Choose life.

(Deuteronomy 30:19) Moses had it right. We face choices every day. Every day gives us another opportunity to commit ourselves to the Lord and to find the life that he promises us. Many of us made Lenten resolutions yesterday, and the best way to keep them is by making these choices.

Moses’ words can give us a framework for these daily choices. He tells us that we can choose life by “loving the LORD, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him” (Deuteronomy 30:20).

• Loving the LORD. This seems easy enough, but we might skip over this one because it can also feel vague. Let’s make it more practical. You can decide to love God by spending time with him in prayer every day. Thank him for his mercy. Tell him that you love him. Ask him for his grace. You can also love God by loving your family. Choose to turn off the TV or to put down your phone so that you can spend time with your family.

• Heeding his voice. The Hebrew Scriptures don’t have a word for “obey.” Instead, they talk about “heeding” the Lord’s voice. They

talk about listening carefully to his word, internalizing it, and putting it into practice. How can you do that today? You might try slowly rereading today’s Scripture passages and asking God to give you a personal message through them.

Or you might feel him nudging you to contact an old friend or to help out a neighbor. Go ahead and follow through, and see how God blesses that choice.

• Holding fast to him. You might find yourself today feeling lonely or frustrated or wondering if God is with you. That’s the time to cling to the Lord. Remind yourself of his promise to never abandon you. If you’re struggling with temptation, decide to affirm your love for God and his love for you. Choose to stand firm in your commitment to him.

Every day this Lent, try to make a little headway in your choice to follow God. Don’t be surprised, if you do, to find yourself feeling closer to the Lord. Don’t be surprised to feel his life and his love more deeply in your heart.

“Lord, help me to see each choice as an opportunity to honor you. Help me to choose life!” !

Psalm 1:1-4, 6 Luke 9:22-25

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Friday, February 16 Isaiah 58:1-9 This, rather, is the fasting that I wish. (Isaiah 58:6) “What are you doing for Lent?”

It’s a question you’ve probably been asked more than once this week. Many of us will answer with something like, “I’m giving up desserts—or chocolate or alcohol— and going to Stations of the Cross on Fridays.” And we should. Giving up things for Lent helps us refocus our attention on the Lord. But there’s another side to fasting that has to do with the way we relate to the people around us. Today’s first reading shows us what this can look like.

In the reading, Isaiah makes it clear that the fasting God wants is to see yokes untied, bread shared with the hungry, and the homeless sheltered. He doesn’t want us to turn our back on anyone. How is this kind of social awareness linked to fasting? Because denying ourselves something simple like dessert can help us become less attached to our own comfort and pleasure. And that kind of detachment can open our eyes to the needs of other people. It can also bring us to the point where we can put aside our comfort for the sake of reaching out to our brothers and sisters in need.

But there’s more to fasting than giving up sweets. We can also fast from what we want to do. We can fast from those things we think we have a right to, like our free time.

That kind of fast can free us up to join a group that makes sandwiches and gives them out to the hungry in a local park. Or if we give up our right to keep extra clothing, we could clear out our closet and send some good clothes—not just the old or outgrown ones—to people devastated by a natural disaster.

God is inviting you to learn more of his ways during Lent. So yes, deny your normal appetites and press in to know him more. Go without some treat or spend more time in prayer. But also extend yourself toward other people. Let the Lord use your fasting to free you up to serve. Your Lenten fast will start to find its expression in concrete, everyday actions that touch people around you.

“Father, help me to fast the way you want me to. Help me to bring your love to the people around me.” !

Psalm 51:3-6, 18-19 Matthew 9:14-15

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Saturday, February 17 Luke 5:27-32 Follow me. (Luke 5:27) These two words changed everything for Levi, for Simon and Andrew, for Philip, for unnamed disciples—and for us. Jesus is not pleading or begging. He is inviting, earnestly and lovingly. Follow him, who is the way, the truth, and the life. Follow him, who is the light in the darkness, the spring of water that never fails, the One who promises to guide you always.

Follow me, just as you are. Not because you’re particularly good or talented or holy. According to Jewish law, Levi was “impure” because of his association with Gentiles. He was also probably dishonest and greedy. Peter was impulsive and stubborn. James and John wanted places of honor. All of the disciples had issues, but Jesus called them just the same—just as he is calling you.

Follow me, and be part of my Church. Once you were no people, and you had not received mercy.

But everyone who follows him becomes part of God’s people and receives mercy. Once you were in darkness, and now you are in God’s wonderful light. You are chosen, royal, holy, a people belonging to God himself (1 Peter 2:9-10). That

is who you are. That is how your heavenly Father sees you.

Follow me, and your heart will begin to change. You may not start out as an ideal disciple, but remember that this is just the beginning.

What you are now isn’t an obstacle to what you can become—not to the Lord. He has had a vision for your life from the moment you were conceived. And that vision is one of blessing, not of curse. It’s a vision of fullness, not emptiness.

It’s a vision in which every part of your personality—your talents, your character traits, and even your unique quirks—is filled with his life and is used to build his kingdom.

We all know that following Jesus has its ups and downs. But no matter what challenges we may face, we can always face them knowing that we belong to Jesus and that he will never abandon us. For not only are we following Jesus, but he is leading us, always calling us to his side with words of love and peace.

“Yes, Jesus! I will follow you. I want to walk in your light every day of my life.” !

Isaiah 58:9-14 Psalm 86:1-6

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Daily Mass Readings February 14 – April 1, 2018

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Wednesday, February 14 Ash Wednesday

Entrance You are merciful to all, O Lord, Antiphon and despise nothing that you have made.

You overlook people’s sins, to bring them to repentance, and you spare them, for you are the Lord our God. Wis 11:24, 25, 27 Collect Grant, O Lord, that we may begin with holy fasting

this campaign of Christian service, so that, as we take up battle against spiritual evils, we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Joel 2:12-18 Reading Even now, says the LORD,

return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God. For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment.

Perhaps he will again relent and leave behind him a blessing, Offerings and libations for the LORD, your God. Blow the trumpet in Zion! proclaim a fast, call an assembly; Gather the people, notify the congregation; LENT 2018 | M1

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Wednesday, February 14 Assemble the elders, gather the children and the infants at the breast; Let the bridegroom quit his room and the bride her chamber.

Between the porch and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep, And say, “Spare, O LORD, your people, and make not your heritage a reproach, with the nations ruling over them!

Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’” Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his land and took pity on his people.

Responsorial Psalm 51 Psalm R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.

Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. R. For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always: “Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.” R. A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me.

Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me. R. Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me.

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. R. Second 2 Corinthians 5:20–6:2 Reading Brothers and sisters: We are ambassadors for Christ, as if

God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the M2 | MASS READINGS SUPPLEMENT

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Wednesday, February 14 righteousness of God in him.

Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says: In an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.

Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Gospel Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory!

Acclamation If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Cf. Ps 95:8

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory!

Gospel Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Reading JESUS SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES: “Take care not to perform righteous

deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.

But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

Blessing of Dear brethren (brothers and sisters), let us humbly ask God Ashes our Father

that he be pleased to bless with the abundance of his grace these ashes, which we will put on our heads in penitence.

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Wednesday, February 14 O God, who are moved by acts of humility and respond with forgiveness to works of penance, lend your merciful ear to our prayers and in your kindness pour out the grace of your blessing on your servants who are marked with these ashes, that, as they follow the Lenten observances, they may be worthy to come with minds made pure to celebrate the Paschal Mystery of your Son. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

OR O God, who desire not the death of sinners, but their conversion, mercifully hear our prayers and in your kindness be pleased to bless these ashes, which we intend to receive upon our heads, that we, who acknowledge we are but ashes and shall return to dust, may, through a steadfast observance of Lent, gain pardon for sins and newness of life after the likeness of your Risen Son. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Distribution Repent, and believe in the Gospel. of Ashes OR

Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

Prayer As we solemnly offer over the the annual sacrifice for the beginning of Lent, Offerings we entreat you, O Lord,

that, through works of penance and charity, we may turn away from harmful pleasures and, cleansed from our sins, may become worthy to celebrate devoutly the Passion of your Son. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Communion He who ponders the law of the Lord day and night Antiphon will yield fruit in due season. Cf. Ps 1:2-3

R Prayer after May the Sacrament we have received sustain us, O Lord, Communion that our Lenten fast may be pleasing to you M4 | MASS READINGS SUPPLEMENT

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Thursday, February 15 and be for us a healing remedy.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Thursday, February 15 Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Entrance When I cried to the Lord, he heard my voice; Antiphon he rescued me from those who attack me.

Entrust your cares to the Lord, and he will support you.

Cf. Ps 55 (54):17-20, 23 Collect Prompt our actions with your inspiration, we pray, O Lord,

and further them with your constant help, that all we do may always begin from you and by you be brought to completion.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Reading Moses said to the people: “Today I have set before you life and

prosperity, death and doom. If you obey the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I enjoin on you today, loving him, and walking in his ways, and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees, you will live and grow numerous, and the LORD, your God, will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy.

If, however, you turn away your hearts and will not listen, but are led astray and adore and serve other gods, I tell you now that you will certainly perish; you will not have a long life on the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and occupy. I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him. For that will mean life for you, a long life for you to live on the land that the LORD swore he would give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.�

Responsorial Psalm 1 Psalm R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

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Thursday, February 15 the counsel of the wicked Nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, But delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on his law day and night. R. He is like a tree planted near running water, That yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade.

Whatever he does, prospers. R. Not so the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away.

For the LORD watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes. R. Gospel Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

Acclamation Repent, says the Lord; the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Mt 4:17

Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

Gospel Luke 9:22-25 Reading JESUS SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and

be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?”

Prayer Regard with favor, O Lord, we pray, over the the offerings we set upon this sacred altar, Offerings that, bestowing on us your pardon,

our oblations may give honor to your name.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Communion Create a pure heart for me, O God; Antiphon renew a steadfast spirit within me. Cf. Ps 51 (50):12

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The Order of Mass INTRODUCTORY RITES Entrance Antiphon

(See each day.)

Greeting

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And with your spirit.

(Other forms of the Greeting may be used.)

Penitential Act

Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, (The people strike their breast, saying:) through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault;

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therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen.

(Other forms of the Penitential Act may be used.)

Kyrie

(The Kyrie is omitted if it has already been used in one of the forms of the Penitential Act.) V. Lord, have mercy.

V. Christ, have mercy.

V. Lord, have mercy.

Or: V. Kyrie, eleison.

V. Christe, eleison.

V. Kyrie, eleison.

Gloria

R. Lord, have mercy.

R. Christ, have mercy.

R. Lord, have mercy.

R. Kyrie, eleison.

R. Christe, eleison.

R. Kyrie, eleison.

(When it is prescribed, this hymn is either said or sung:) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.

We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.

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Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.

Amen.

Collect

(See each day.)

LITURGY OF THE WORD Readings Profession of Faith

(See each day.)

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages.

God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made.

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For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, (At the words that follow, up to and including and became man, all bow.) and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

(The Apostles’ Creed may be used instead of the Nicene Creed.)

Prayer of the Faithful

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From Chevalier-Taylor’s The Life of St. Ignatius Image (c) 2011 Jesuit Institute London, used with permission

A “Pilgrim” in His Heart

Let St. Ignatius Guide Your Spiritual Renewal This Lent

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E

very year when Lent approaches, my thoughts turn to St. Ignatius Loyola. He’s one of the great saints: founder of the

by Jim Manney Jesuits, author of the Spiritual Exercises, a giant of religious and secular history. But what interests me most about Ignatius is his skill at discernment. He offers many insights about the subtleties of the spiritual life—wise counsel for anyone seeking spiritual renewal.

That’s why he’s a good Lenten guide. He shows me how to find God in the inner movements of my heart. And there’s another reason why I like to read about Ignatius: his story is fascinating.

Ignatius: An Unlikely Saint.

Ignatius was born in 1491, the youngest of thirteen children in a family of minor nobility in the Basque region of what is now northern Spain. At the age of thirteen, he was sent to the royal court of the Kingdom of Castile to serve his father’s friend, who was the chief treasurer of King Ferdinand.

No one considered him a future saint.

He was proud, conceited, and ambitious for worldly glory. Years later, even he described himself as “a man given over to the vanities of the world; with a great and vain desire to win fame, he delighted especially in the exercise of arms.” He added the tantalizing detail that he was “fairly free in the love of women.” He had a temper.

Once he was arrested for brawling in the street, making him one of the few saints with a police record.

The turning point in Ignatius’ life came in May 1521, when he was badly wounded defending the city of Pamplona against an attack by French troops. His wounds were so extensive that he had to be carried home. There he survived two horrific surgeries without anesthetics to repair his shattered legs and spent a year recovering. To pass the time, he read the only two books in the house—a life of the saints and a life of Christ. As he lay on his bed, he fell into reverie. Sometimes he would daydream about his past exploits as a courtier, ladies’ man, and warrior; then he would daydream about living like Christ and the saints.

God Leads with the Heart.

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different. Referring to himself in the third person, he later wrote this: When he was thinking of those things of the world he took much delight in them, but afterwards, when he was tired and put them aside, he found himself dry and dissatisfied. But when he thought of going to Jerusalem barefoot, and of eating nothing but plain vegetables and of practicing all the other rigors that he saw in the saints, not only was he consoled . . . but even after putting [the thoughts] aside he remained satisfied and joyful.

It was a paradox: daydreams of a life of fun left him feeling sad; thoughts of a life of hard work and deprivation as a disciple of Christ left him feeling happy. Why was this? Ignatius realized that God was speaking to him through his feelings.

The joy he felt when he imagined being a follower of Jesus meant that this was the life that would bring him greatest satisfaction. Ignatius acted on this insight; he put his old life behind him and became a zealous servant of the Lord. He called himself “the pilgrim.” He walked throughout Europe and travelled as

I a L far east as the Holy Land, making friends and talking about Christ. All the while, he developed the insight he’d had on his sickbed: that God’s voice can be heard in the shifting moods and intuitions and leadings and feelings of our affective lives.

One of the most important tools Ignatius left for the world was a way of paying attention to these subtle movements of the inner life.

He called his method the Daily Examen, a systematic review of the events of the day to see where God has been present and where he is leading us. The Examen has become the most popular form of Ignatian prayer.

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Ignatius put his old life behind him and became a zealous servant of the Lord. He called himself “the pilgrim.”

A Loving, Active God. Shortly Jesus doing things—healing, speakafter his conversion, Ignatius travelled to the village of Manresa in eastern Spain, where he had planned a short rest. He wound up spending a year there in prayer and reflection. His conception of God changed radically. Previously he had known God as a judge and lawgiver, remote and harsh. Now he perceived God as a loving Creator, present in all things, active in the world, engaged with each of us personally, showering us with blessings and gifts.

He read the Scriptures intently, especially the Gospels, paying special attention to passages depicting

ing, travelling, and proclaiming the kingdom. This image of the active Jesus inspired him. His whole outlook was suffused by a sense of immense gratitude. He saw himself as a prideful man of no special merit, absorbed in vain worldly pursuits. Yet God had reached out and drawn him into an embrace of love.

Gradually, Ignatius’ sense of his mission took shape: he would minister to people as Christ did.

He would help people see God’s immense love for them and help them find their place in Christ’s continuing work of saving and healing the world.

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Learning to Discern. To do this him for counsel. He developed what well, Ignatius had to be academically qualified—something the Church insisted on. So he set about getting a degree. His first course was a year of remedial Latin, taken in a classroom with high school students. After that, he studied at three universities. He eventually obtained a degree in theology from the Sorbonne in Paris.

At one point during these years of study, Ignatius found himself mesmerized by beautiful visions that came to him in prayer, so much so that he fell behind in his studies. He eventually realized that the visions were not from God at all.

They were fabricated by the “evil spirit” to distract him from study— the most important work in his life at the time. This was a crucial insight: the devil often comes to us cloaked in attractive garb. Even our most generous impulses and most zealous urges can be manipulated by the evil one to lead us astray.

This was one of Ignatius’ many insights into the operation of the spiritual realm, gained through painstaking observation and reflection. He eventually codified them in rules for discernment of spirits.

Ignatius deepened his understanding of spiritual realities as he worked with people who came to

he called “spiritual exercises” to help people renew their dedication to Christ and make wise decisions about how to serve him. This grew into the famous Spiritual Exercises, an intensive prayer-retreat experience that millions of people have taken up over the past five centuries.

Ignatius: Our Friend in Lent.

You may have already started thinking about your resolutions for Lent.

As you do, consider taking a page or two from Ignatius and focusing a bit on inward spiritual renewal this year. Imagine that you’re talking to Ignatius one-on-one. You’re asking what to do for Lent. What might he say?

I’m certain he would say, “Spend time with Jesus.” Wherever and however you best encounter Jesus, try to make a point this Lent to do it. Ignatius once wrote to a group of Jesuits, “More than anything else I should wish to awaken in you the pure love of Jesus Christ.”

Ignatius might also suggest that you try some different ways of praying. He teaches several methods in the Exercises in addition to the Examen. One of the most powerful is imaginative prayer, in which you immerse yourself in a Gospel scene

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C fr in

Consider taking a page or two from Ignatius and focusing a bit on inward spiritual renewal this year.

as an onlooker-participant. Another method is prayer in the form of a heartfelt, free-flowing conversation, something Ignatius called colloquy.

In the Exercises Ignatius urges you to talk to Jesus “as one friend to another, making known your affairs to him and seeking advice in them.”

Finally, Ignatius might suggest that, like him, you model your life on Jesus: the man of action. You can start by asking the questions at the heart of the Spiritual Exercises.

What have I done for Christ? What am I doing for Christ? What ought I do for Christ? Christ is inviting you to join him by doing the work he does in the circumstances you find yourself in, with the people he has

put in your life. He is inviting you to search your deepest desires and respond to his leading with gratitude and generosity.

Spiritual renewal is serious work, but Ignatius would probably tell you not to get anxious about it. If you sincerely desire God, he will find you. As Ignatius wrote to an anxious friend, “There is no need to wear yourself out, but make a competent and sufficient effort, and leave the rest to him.” n Jim Manney is the author of Ignatian Spirituality A to Z (Loyola Press) and six other popular books on Ignatian spirituality. You can find more information at IgnatianSpirituality.com.

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