Give...

Jesus said to his disciples: "Be compassionate, as your Father is compassionate....For the measure you measure with will be measured back to you" (Lk 6:36-38).

God of unconditional love,

of freedom

beyond-all-measure...

how do we fathom

within our own hearts

a depth of self-giving

so much more

than our experience?

How do we enter your boundless generosity,

for we measure not beyond-all-measure?

Help us, O God...

Help us to exchange the weight of judgment

for the freedom of forgiveness.

To clothe our brothers and sisters

with the garment of compassion.

To let mercy make a home in our hearts,

and truth the door through which we pass...

And there so enter upon the way of Jesus

who is life beyond-all-measure.

Amen

PRAYER FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT

Mother or a child: From the words of St. Paul [2 Cor. 6:1-2]. Dearly beloved, we entreat you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says: "In an acceptable time I have beard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

Father: This time of fasting has opened to us the gates of paradise. Let us accept it, praying and beseeching.

Family: That on the day of resurrection we may be glorified in the Lord.

Father: Let us pray. Through the observance of Lent, O Lord, You purify Your Church every year. See to it that Your children lead a better life and so obtain the graces they are striving to acquire by doing penance. This we ask of You through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.

Family: Amen. Favor this dwelling, Lord, with Your presence. Far from it repulse all the wiles of Satan. Your holy angels, let them live here, to keep us in peace. And may your blessing remain always upon us. This we ask of you through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.

Father: Let us bless the Lord.

Family: Thanks be to God.

Father: May the almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless and keep us.

Family: Amen.

Note: This prayer should be prayed before a Crucifix

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A Lenten Reflection

Give up harsh words: use generous ones.

Give up unhappiness: take up gratitude.

Give up pessimism: take up hope and optimism.

Give up discouragement: be full of hope.

Give up worrying: take up trust in God.

Give up complaining: value what you have, focus on gratitude.

Give up gloom: enjoy the beauty that is all around you.

Give up anger: take up gentleness and patience.

Give up stress: take up prayer.

Give up judging others: discover Jesus within them.

Give up gossiping: control your tongue.

Give up sorrow and bitterness: fill your heart with joy.

Give up selfishness: take up compassion for others.

Give up being unforgiving: learn reconciliation.

Give up bitterness: turn to forgiveness.

Give up hatred: return good for evil.

Give up pettiness: become mature.

Give up jealousy: pray for trust.

Give up words: fill yourself with silence, and listen to others.

Give up sin: turn to virtue.

Give up giving up: hang in there!