Lent has always been one of my favorites seasons of the year. I like to dig in and see where God is calling me to change and with His grace, hopefully die a little more to my selfish and sinful ways.
This year I entered the desert a little early. I made a silent, directed retreat for three days. (Feb. 9 to11)
I didn't quite know what God would reveal to me this year, but it turned out to be an encounter with self. He showed me ways that I have offended Him and others. Ways I was unaware of, until His light shone on these areas of my life.I was quite surprised, but grateful for His insights. One of the psalms asks God "to show me my unknown sins." I have often remarked to people that they may be unknown to us, but ask the people we live with or know...they are sure familiar to them. I look forward to continuing this journey of looking into my heart and asking God to help me see my unknown sins. I invite all of you to do the same and then to thank God for the grace of knowing so we can change and reflect Him, even so slightly.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Madelynn Winstead, ENDOW Board Member and editor, Colorado
Winter Fast
In midwinter
the silence is deep calling on deep;
A footprint or footfall unheard;
The hidden root of springs long forgotten
And yet present in minute potentiality.
It is the biological prototype that holds the secret—
The Word that speaks out of chaos into being;
While a thousand variations on the theme of white and grey
Wait for that first steel shaft of sunlight
To penetrate each layer deeper still.
As Death’s dark angel sheaths his sword.
In midwinter
the silence is deep calling on deep;
A footprint or footfall unheard;
The hidden root of springs long forgotten
And yet present in minute potentiality.
It is the biological prototype that holds the secret—
The Word that speaks out of chaos into being;
While a thousand variations on the theme of white and grey
Wait for that first steel shaft of sunlight
To penetrate each layer deeper still.
As Death’s dark angel sheaths his sword.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Janet Teran, ENDOW Board Member and facilitator, Colorado
Lent to me is a blessed time of opportunity to concentrate on a lessening of me. During this time of grace, I beg for extra grace to imitate St. John the Baptist when he said “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (Jn 3:30). My beloved Dad used to joke by repeating the phrase “Selfa-denial! Selfa-denial!” when we were called to sacrifice in various ways. Putting aside some of my excesses and practicing a bit of “selfa-denial” is one way I actively join in the process of becoming less of me and more of Christ Jesus. I love walking with Christ through Lent by joining with Him in these small sacrifices knowing in full HOPE that Resurrected Life in Christ is just on the other side His Passion and Crucifixion. As I strive to be a full gift of self, selfa-denial by selfa-denial, I joyfully await the promise of fuller New life in Christ! Come Holy Spirit!
Valerie Haas, ENDOW Facilitator, Colorado
Instead of dreading Lent like I did just a few years back, I now have a more “bring it on!” attitude and approach Lent as a wonderful way to “get back to the basics”. The basics, of course, are prayer, almsgiving and fasting.
My increase in prayer during the season of Lent has taken different forms over the years including Lenten devotional books, scriptural reading, the rosary, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, but this year I am trying something new. I am meditating on and praying for an increase in the virtue of love. To assist me in this, I am reading “I Believe in Love: A Personal Retreat Based on the Teaching of St. Therese of Lisieux”. I am journaling as I work my way through this wonderful book and will pray for the courage to apply its teachings to my daily life – now and beyond this holy season.
My almsgiving will include charitable giving, which I like to think as not only giving of my money and belongings to the less fortunate, but also, freely giving of myself to those in my midst each day – my husband and children. I assure you, I know I am weak so this giving will not be heroic; it will be simple but will be done out of love. When I am tired from a long day and my one-year-old is crying while everyone else has disappeared from the dinner table to leave the clean-up for me, I will bite my tongue and will look at the little crucifix I have near my kitchen sink. This will remind me of the heroic love Jesus displayed and will certainly humble me to realize that clearing the table and washing dishes is hardly equal to His sacrifice! You wives and mothers know, there are probably hundreds of these opportunities every day – to bite our tongues and give simply to our families with a loving attitude.
Fasting has not changed much for me over the years. I get stuck in a rut giving up the usual things and but it is always challenging. The difference now is that when I’m being tempted to take just a half of a cookie (“I surely won’t go to hell for that!”) and it’s Saturday night and that glass of wine has my name on it (“Really, does God expect me to be perfect at all times?”), I rejoice when I am able to overcome the temptations and I can almost literally feel the graces being given to me by our Lord. What strength and peace comes from those moments!
While I know the graces received from practicing prayer, almsgiving and fasting are immeasurable, my focus on them tends to fade during different times of my life – particularly with the busyness that comes with raising 4 children. However, the older I get, the more I actually look forward to Lent every year as a way to prioritize my spiritual life and get back to the basics. Lent…bring it on!!!
My increase in prayer during the season of Lent has taken different forms over the years including Lenten devotional books, scriptural reading, the rosary, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, but this year I am trying something new. I am meditating on and praying for an increase in the virtue of love. To assist me in this, I am reading “I Believe in Love: A Personal Retreat Based on the Teaching of St. Therese of Lisieux”. I am journaling as I work my way through this wonderful book and will pray for the courage to apply its teachings to my daily life – now and beyond this holy season.
My almsgiving will include charitable giving, which I like to think as not only giving of my money and belongings to the less fortunate, but also, freely giving of myself to those in my midst each day – my husband and children. I assure you, I know I am weak so this giving will not be heroic; it will be simple but will be done out of love. When I am tired from a long day and my one-year-old is crying while everyone else has disappeared from the dinner table to leave the clean-up for me, I will bite my tongue and will look at the little crucifix I have near my kitchen sink. This will remind me of the heroic love Jesus displayed and will certainly humble me to realize that clearing the table and washing dishes is hardly equal to His sacrifice! You wives and mothers know, there are probably hundreds of these opportunities every day – to bite our tongues and give simply to our families with a loving attitude.
Fasting has not changed much for me over the years. I get stuck in a rut giving up the usual things and but it is always challenging. The difference now is that when I’m being tempted to take just a half of a cookie (“I surely won’t go to hell for that!”) and it’s Saturday night and that glass of wine has my name on it (“Really, does God expect me to be perfect at all times?”), I rejoice when I am able to overcome the temptations and I can almost literally feel the graces being given to me by our Lord. What strength and peace comes from those moments!
While I know the graces received from practicing prayer, almsgiving and fasting are immeasurable, my focus on them tends to fade during different times of my life – particularly with the busyness that comes with raising 4 children. However, the older I get, the more I actually look forward to Lent every year as a way to prioritize my spiritual life and get back to the basics. Lent…bring it on!!!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Terry Begler, ENDOW Participant, Colorado
Recently, I was reminded that the term “Lent” literally refers to the lengthening of days, or spring. It’s a fact I’d buried so far in the recesses of my mind that I’d forgotten it. One reason is that Lent has come to mean so much more than a season. Still, if I had to compare Lent to a season, I would say it feels like winter, just as the trees are exposed without their leaves for the gardener to prune dead wood.
This Lent, I find myself on a quest for the obvious truth. Before you dismiss this reflection, I recognize the contradiction within that statement. A quest is a journey, a pursuit. When truth is obvious, what need is there to search? I have come to recognize that simple truths often become lost and sometimes buried amongst the messages of our world. To illustrate, you’d merely need to peak into my closet. Shoes significantly outnumber days of the week. Some are well-worn favorites, some for special occasions, a few for exercise, while others are painfully uncomfortable. There’s even a frivolous pair that I bought on a whim. I’m embarrassed to admit that a few are dusty from heel to toe and I’ve held on to some because they’re of good quality but out of fashion. Why hold on? What good is it? Moreover, this collection requires that I acknowledge messages I’ve internalized about personal gratification and whether the difference between my wants and needs has become too vague. Digging a little deeper, I must consider where I sit on the continuum from groomed to high-style and how my choices reflect my values. This Lent, I gathered those dusty shoes and several other pair and packed them in a box for charity. Next, I tackled the wardrobe and then the dresser drawers. As I cleaned the closets all through the house, I realized that this experience mirrors a spiritual process. In the quiet of packing, I found myself looking to see where resentment sat, gathering dust. Old injuries held painful places and I can’t help but wonder the point in holding a grudge. As for sharp words, there have been too many and they were usually colored the same. I never truly considered that the beauty of the Lord’s Day becomes diminished by trivial chores and errands. This Lent, I recognize that I am tremendously blessed. I have plenty to share with the less fortunate. More importantly, I receive the gift of reconciliation and am freed from the burden of sin. Just as the gardener trims the dead wood to prepare for new growth, I will eagerly embrace the coming of
spring.
This Lent, I find myself on a quest for the obvious truth. Before you dismiss this reflection, I recognize the contradiction within that statement. A quest is a journey, a pursuit. When truth is obvious, what need is there to search? I have come to recognize that simple truths often become lost and sometimes buried amongst the messages of our world. To illustrate, you’d merely need to peak into my closet. Shoes significantly outnumber days of the week. Some are well-worn favorites, some for special occasions, a few for exercise, while others are painfully uncomfortable. There’s even a frivolous pair that I bought on a whim. I’m embarrassed to admit that a few are dusty from heel to toe and I’ve held on to some because they’re of good quality but out of fashion. Why hold on? What good is it? Moreover, this collection requires that I acknowledge messages I’ve internalized about personal gratification and whether the difference between my wants and needs has become too vague. Digging a little deeper, I must consider where I sit on the continuum from groomed to high-style and how my choices reflect my values. This Lent, I gathered those dusty shoes and several other pair and packed them in a box for charity. Next, I tackled the wardrobe and then the dresser drawers. As I cleaned the closets all through the house, I realized that this experience mirrors a spiritual process. In the quiet of packing, I found myself looking to see where resentment sat, gathering dust. Old injuries held painful places and I can’t help but wonder the point in holding a grudge. As for sharp words, there have been too many and they were usually colored the same. I never truly considered that the beauty of the Lord’s Day becomes diminished by trivial chores and errands. This Lent, I recognize that I am tremendously blessed. I have plenty to share with the less fortunate. More importantly, I receive the gift of reconciliation and am freed from the burden of sin. Just as the gardener trims the dead wood to prepare for new growth, I will eagerly embrace the coming of
spring.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Casey Sprehe, ENDOW Youth presenter, editor, and author, Colorado
Lent is my spiritual training for my marathon in life. When I decide I want to run a race, I always have to back-pedal a couple months and train for it. The training is hard, and it's my least favorite part of the race. I want to give up, but there is the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak, so I keep running. The challenges are tough, but I become stronger/faster only when I meet and exceed them. Race day and the finish line become attainable because I trained.
Lent is the same way. God gives me a chance to share in his Easter Sunday. It's exciting. I want to do it. However, it comes at the cost of his Good Friday. Just like training for a race, it's hard, and Lent is my least favorite liturgical season, while I'm in it that is. He calls me to sacrifice and do penance. I can't do it alone. But I know he's true to his promises, and if I keep meeting him in his sufferings, he'll be there to help me. He's like my trainer. He calls me deeper into his passion and death, so that I can rise with him in his victory.
Lent is the same way. God gives me a chance to share in his Easter Sunday. It's exciting. I want to do it. However, it comes at the cost of his Good Friday. Just like training for a race, it's hard, and Lent is my least favorite liturgical season, while I'm in it that is. He calls me to sacrifice and do penance. I can't do it alone. But I know he's true to his promises, and if I keep meeting him in his sufferings, he'll be there to help me. He's like my trainer. He calls me deeper into his passion and death, so that I can rise with him in his victory.
Erin Baxley, Young Adult ENDOW participant, Colorado
As for Lent, it's one of those things that I don't really look forward to, but I love the feeling afterwards--like going to the dentist. Typical human that I am, I don't like to make sacrifices and fast and part of me dreads this season for those very reasons. But once my human nature takes a break, it gets easier to see how prayerful, how melancholy, and how beautiful Lent really is. Culturally, we're so trained for an 'instant' society; we're don't have to anticipate anything anymore. It can be really satisfying to let the anticipation of Easter build, culminating in the Triduum when the Church is at it's height of beautiful traditions. Sacrificing and fasting included, it's well worth the wait!
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