Take Five for Faith
SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009
First Sunday of Lent
Step into the desert
Deserts can be places of beauty but also of danger. Anyone journeying into them needs to take measures to safeguard themselves. Jesus spent some time in the desert. Right after his baptism the Spirit of God drove him into the desert, where he spent 40 days—like the Israelites’ 40 years in the wilderness—facing down Satan and wild animals and beginning the journey of his ministry. He was ready and also protected, for angels waited on him. Today you take the first step into the desert of the Lenten journey. God puts you there, but God will also accompany you and welcome you at the end. What old temptations and beasts of your soul will you guard against?
TODAY'S READINGS: Genesis 9:8-15; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:12-15
"The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan."
DOMINGO, 1 DE MARZO DE 2009
Primer Domingo de Cuaresma
Solo desiertos
Los desiertos pueden ser lugares bonitos pero también peligrosos. Cualquier persona que vaya a ellos necesita tomar medidas para protegerse. Jesús pasó algún tiempo en el desierto. Inmediatamente después de su bautismo el Espíritu de Dios lo condujo hacia el desierto, donde pasó 40 días, como los 40 años de los israelitas en el desierto, enfrentándose a Satanás y a animales salvajes y comenzando el viaje de su ministerio. Estaba listo y también protegido, pues los ángeles lo esperaban. Hoy tomas el primer paso hacia el desierto del viaje Cuaresmal. Dios te puso allí, pero Dios también te acompañará y te dará la bienvenida al final. ¿De qué viejas tentaciones y bestias de tu alma te protegerás a ti mismo?
LECTURAS DE HOY: Génesis 9:8-15; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:12-15
"El Espíritu condujo a Jesús hacia el desierto, y él permaneció en el desierto por cuarenta días, tentado por Satanás."
MONDAY, MARCH 2
Lenten weekday
Collect all six
Here’s a challenge for these 40 days of Lent: Complete all six works of mercy listed in Matthew 25. Be creative: You can literally give someone a glass of water, or provide a lonely person with the company for which he or she spiritually thirsts. You might participate in the diocesan prison ministry, or send financial support to an interfaith group like Prisoner Visitation and Support (PVS). You may care for an ill family member or someone who’s sick at heart because of a difficult experience. Keep the list posted and see how many ways your family can find to serve the poor Christ.
TODAY'S READINGS: Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18; Matthew 25:31-46
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me . . ."
TUESDAY, MARCH 3
Feast of Katharine Drexel, virgin
How many prayers are in your wallet?
“Oh, how far I am at 84 years of age from being an image of Jesus in his sacred life on earth!” These are the humble words of an amazing U.S. saint, Katharine Drexel, who died in 1955. Born into extravagant wealth in Philadelphia, she inherited her family’s fortune before the age of 30—and then proceeded to spend $20 million on the underserved education of Native and African American students. Rather than multiplying pious words, she multiplied generous deeds. Consider how much good could be done if more of us prayed with our pocketbooks.
TODAY'S READINGS: Isaiah 55:10-11; Matthew 6:7-15
"In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words."
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4
Lenten weekday
Lent is also a season for gift-giving
According to biblical accounts, the queen of Sheba—the “queen of the south” Jesus mentions in Luke—heard of the wisdom of King Solomon and journeyed to Israel to test him with questions. The queen was amazed at Solomon’s answers and offered lavish gifts and blessings on the God of Israel. This Lent consider what you might offer in thanksgiving for the wisdom of God revealed to us in the person and teachings of Jesus. Your gift does not have to involve riches—a bit of your time or talent offered in service to others will do quite nicely.
TODAY'S READINGS: Jonah 3:1-10; Luke 11:29-32
"At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them."
THURSDAY, MARCH 5
Lenten weekday
Have mercy on me!
What does it mean to “throw oneself on the mercy of another?” It means admitting we are completely unprotected and need help. It means surrendering control over our future and accepting the present moment. It means trusting in the goodness of the one whose compassion we are asking for and having faith we might be good enough to deserve it. Hopefully, rare will be the times when we must throw ourselves on the mercy of another human being. But consider this: Might it be beneficial to throw ourselves consciously on the mercy of God every day?
TODAY'S READINGS: Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25; Matthew 7:7-12
"Save us by your power, and help me, who am alone and have no one but you, O Lord."
FRIDAY, MARCH 6
Lenten weekday; World Day of Prayer
Reaching past the pews
Giving “alms” is traditionally one of Lent’s “big three” practices, and giving alms includes acts of reconciliation and healing. Reconciliation was a word heard often after the genocide in Rwanda, and a current project in Australia is determined to build “relationships for change between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians”—the former long relegated to second-class status. Such attempts are not easy, especially when the gulf between parties lies along religious or ethnic fault lines. Yet what better way to mark World Day of Prayer than to open ourselves beyond our own conceptions of God, identity, and righteousness? For what better thing to fast and pray on the first Friday of Lent?
TODAY'S READINGS: Ezekiel 18:21-28; Matthew 5:20-26
"If you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift before the altar and be reconciled."
SATURDAY, MARCH 7
Lenten weekday
A challenging commandment
Imagine at Mass this Sunday after the Creed, the deacon turns to the General Intercessions and starts praying for our enemies. He prays to God for the insurgents in Iraq. He prays for Osama bin Laden. He intercedes for the Taliban and al-Qaida. Would we respond, “Lord, hear our prayer” or walk out in disgust? Maybe if we showed love for our enemies and prayed for our persecutors as Jesus commanded, it would lead to an end of the violence and bring our soldiers home. It couldn’t hurt.
TODAY'S READINGS: Deuteronomy 26:16-19; Matthew 5:43-48
"But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you."
Contributors: Father Paul Boudreau, Alice Camille, Daniel Grippo, Father Larry Janowski, Ann O'Connor, Sean Reynolds, Joel Schorn, and Patrice J. Tuohy
©2009 by TrueQuest Communications, L.L.C. PHONE: 800-942-2811; E-MAIL: mail@takefiveforfaith.com; WEBSITE: www.takefiveforfaith.com. Licensed for noncommercial use. All rights reserved. Scripture quotes come from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.
