Archive for February, 2008

A man who governs his passions is master of the world. We must either command them, or be enslaved by them. It is better to be a hammer than an anvil.

February 12, 2008

When: Saturday, February 09, 2008 12:00 AM to Sunday, February 10, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

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Words of Jesus

And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Luke 5:31-32

A man who governs his passions is master of the world. We must either command them, or be enslaved by them. It is better to be a hammer than an anvil.

— St. Dominic

Father, look upon our weakness and reach out to help us with your loving power. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Isaiah 58:9-14<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Is_&ch=58&bv1=9&ev1=14>

9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, Here I am. "If you take away from the midst of you the yoke, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, 10 if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. 11 And the LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your desire with good things, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. 12 And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in. 13 "If you turn back your foot from the sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the sabbath a delight and the holy day of the LORD honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; 14 then you shall take delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride upon the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

Psalm 86:1-6<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Ps&ch=86&bv1=1&ev1=6>

1 Incline thy ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2 Preserve my life, for I am godly; save thy servant who trusts in thee. Thou art my God; 3 be gracious to me, O Lord, for to thee do I cry all the day. 4 Gladden the soul of thy servant, for to thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 5 For thou, O Lord, art good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on thee. 6 Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; hearken to my cry of supplication.

Luke 5:27-32<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Luke&ch=5&bv1=27&ev1=32>

27 After this he went out, and saw a tax collector, named Levi, sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, "Follow me." 28 And he left everything, and rose and followed him. 29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house; and there was a large company of tax collectors and others sitting at table with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" 31 And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Every little glimpse of God that can be gained exceeds every pain and every joy that man can conceive without it.

February 12, 2008

When: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 12:00 AM to Wednesday, February 13, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

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Words of Jesus

Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread; 12 And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors; 13 And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. 14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; 15 but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 6:9-15

Every little glimpse of God that can be gained exceeds every pain and every joy that man can conceive without it.

— St. Catherine of Genoa

Abba, Father, Lord God, O Lord how blessed are we that know we have seen little glimpses of hand at work in our life's; guiding us, protecting us, catching us when we fall, holding on to us when we stumble, and forgiving us unconditionally. O Lord for the sake of His sorrowful passion have mercy on us and on the hold world. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Isaiah 55:10-11<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Is_&ch=55&bv1=10&ev1=11>

10 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return not thither but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Psalm 34:4-7, 16-19<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Ps&ch=34&bv1=4&ev1=7&bv2=16&ev2=19>

4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Matthew 6:7-15<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Matt&ch=6&bv1=7&ev1=15>

7 "And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread; 12 And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors; 13 And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. 14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; 15 but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Lenten Reflections<http://origin.ewtn.com/faith/lent/>

Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letter<http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html>

The Devil temps us so that he may ruin. God allows him to tempt so that He may perfect us in virtue.

February 12, 2008

When: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 12:00 AM to Wednesday, February 13, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

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Words of Jesus

And he said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For which is the greater, one who sits at table, or one who serves? Is it not the one who sits at table? But I am among you as one who serves."

Luke 22:25-27

The Devil temps us so that he may ruin. God allows him to tempt so that He may perfect us in virtue.

— Ambrose of Milan

O Jesus, I withdraw in spirit with You into the desert; teach me how to fight the triple concupiscence of the flesh, pride, and avarice.

Genesis 2:7-9<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Gen&ch=2&bv1=7&ev1=9>; 3:1-7<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Gen&ch=3&bv1=1&ev1=7>

7 then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. 8 And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 And out of the ground the LORD God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any other wild creature that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God say, `You shall not eat of any tree of the garden'?" 2 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but God said, `You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'" 4 But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons.

Psalm 51:3-6, 12-13, 17<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Ps&ch=51&bv1=3&ev1=6&bv2=12&ev2=13&bv3=17&ev3=17>

3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in thy sight, so that thou art justified in thy sentence and blameless in thy judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. 12 Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners will return to thee. 17 The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Romans 5:12-19<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Rom&ch=5&bv1=12&ev1=19>

12 Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned — 13 sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the effect of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. 17 If, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. 18 Then as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one man's act of righteousness leads to acquittal and life for all men. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man's obedience many will be made righteous.

Matthew 4:1-11<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Matt&ch=4&bv1=1&ev1=11>

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And he fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." 4 But he answered, "It is written, `Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, `He will give his angels charge of you,' and `On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" 7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, `You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'" 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them; 9 and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." 10 Then Jesus said to him, "Begone, Satan! for it is written, `You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'" 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and ministered to him.

A man who governs his passions is master of the world. We must either command them, or be enslaved by them. It is better to be a hammer than an anvil.

February 12, 2008

When: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 12:00 AM to Wednesday, February 13, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

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Words of Jesus

And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Luke 5:31-32

A man who governs his passions is master of the world. We must either command them, or be enslaved by them. It is better to be a hammer than an anvil.

— St. Dominic

Father, look upon our weakness and reach out to help us with your loving power. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Isaiah 58:9-14<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Is_&ch=58&bv1=9&ev1=14>

9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, Here I am. "If you take away from the midst of you the yoke, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, 10 if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. 11 And the LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your desire with good things, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. 12 And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in. 13 "If you turn back your foot from the sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the sabbath a delight and the holy day of the LORD honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; 14 then you shall take delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride upon the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

Psalm 86:1-6<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Ps&ch=86&bv1=1&ev1=6>

1 Incline thy ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2 Preserve my life, for I am godly; save thy servant who trusts in thee. Thou art my God; 3 be gracious to me, O Lord, for to thee do I cry all the day. 4 Gladden the soul of thy servant, for to thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 5 For thou, O Lord, art good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on thee. 6 Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; hearken to my cry of supplication.

Luke 5:27-32<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Luke&ch=5&bv1=27&ev1=32>

27 After this he went out, and saw a tax collector, named Levi, sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, "Follow me." 28 And he left everything, and rose and followed him. 29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house; and there was a large company of tax collectors and others sitting at table with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" 31 And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Without discretion, virtue becomes vice, and the natural impulses serve only to upset and wreck the personality.

February 8, 2008

When: Friday, February 08, 2008 12:00 AM to Saturday, February 09, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

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Words of Jesus

"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

Matthew 6:16-18

Without discretion, virtue becomes vice, and the natural impulses serve only to upset and wreck the personality.

— St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Abba, Father, Lord God, O how we deceive ourselves – I see why You despise pride and how easily it can lead us astray. That thing that we think we need to get going, to compete, to endure, and to succeed. It is the thing that separates us from You. Such a fine line it is, with the only difference being the source. Pride has as its source human nature and is driven by the ways and values under the sun. Thus it has a source that by its nature is temporary and cannot last. But in Jesus we have the example, the way and the light to see and feel our Source, and connect to that Source; You. For in Jesus is our only hope, through faith, to learn how to replace pride with gratitude. For gratitude has as its source spiritual nature and is driven by the ways and virtues above in Your heavenly Kingdom. Thus it has You as its Source, our Source of Source, an eternal Source. O my Jesus forgive me of my sins, save me from the fires of hell that dwell within, lead me to heaven, and all those who are in need of Your divine mercy. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Isaiah 58:1-9<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Is_&ch=58&bv1=1&ev1=9>

1 "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins. 2 Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God. 3 `Why have we fasted, and thou seest it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and thou takest no knowledge of it?' Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. 4 Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. 5 Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a man to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a rush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the LORD? 6 "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, Here I am. "If you take away from the midst of you the yoke, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,

Psalm 51:3-6:18-19<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Ps&ch=51&bv1=3&ev1=6&bv2=18&ev2=19>

3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in thy sight, so that thou art justified in thy sentence and blameless in thy judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. 18 Do good to Zion in thy good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, 19 then wilt thou delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on thy altar.

Matthew 9:14-15<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Matt&ch=9&bv1=14&ev1=15>

14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" 15 And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Lenten Reflections<http://origin.ewtn.com/faith/lent/>

Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letter<http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html>

What is the mark of love for your neighbor? Not to seek what is for your own benefit, but what is for the benefit of the one loved, both in body and in soul.

February 7, 2008

When: Thursday, February 07, 2008 12:00 AM to Friday, February 08, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

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Words of Jesus

If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

Luke 9:23-25

What is the mark of love for your neighbor? Not to seek what is for your own benefit, but what is for the benefit of the one loved, both in body and in soul.

— St. Basil the Great

Abba, Father, Lord God, O Lord I put my faith, hope and love in You, asking that in Jesus through the Spirit to direct me according to Thy will by showing me and convicting me to that end. For all I have and all I am and I will do is because of You, a gift, while all I have done has not always been with this mind set and as my heart wondered, today my mind is on You and my heart seeks Your heart. So save me from those that seek to ridicule me and use me as an excuse to justify themselves through my misfortune and tribulations; for in faith with hope I stumble and fall forward, only seeking that in Christ Jesus I will be there to catch them when they stumble and lift them up when they fall. Heeding the words of St. Basil and never again seeking what is for my benefit, but what is for the benefit of my neighbor and loved one. This I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Deuteronomy 30:15-20<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Deut&ch=30&bv1=15&ev1=20>

15 "See, I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil. 16 If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you this day, by loving the LORD your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his ordinances, then you shall live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you are entering to take possession of it. 17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you this day, that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land which you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live, 20 loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice, and cleaving to him; for that means life to you and length of days, that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."

Psalm 1:1-4, 6<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Ps&ch=1&bv1=1&ev1=4&bv2=6&ev2=6>

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff which the wind drives away. 6 for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Luke 9:22-25<http://www.ewtn.com/vbible/search.asp?abbr=Luke&ch=9&bv1=22&ev1=25>

22 saying, "The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised." 23 And he said to all, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

Lenten Reflections<http://origin.ewtn.com/faith/lent/>

Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letter<http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html>

"Yet even now," says the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 13 and rend your hearts and not your garments."

February 7, 2008

When: Wednesday, February 06, 2008 12:00 AM to Thursday, February 07, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

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Words of Jesus

It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

John 6:63

When the temptation is violent, it is useful to renew our purpose of never consenting to any sin, saying: My God I wish to die rather than offend thee. My Jesus, help me; Mary pray for me.

— Alphonsus Liguori

Abba, Father, Lord God, during this Lenten season help me to talk by faith with hope and in love with You, all Your creations. Help me to use this time of discipline and meditation to strengthen my spirit, my mind and my body; likening my heart to Christ Jesus in all I think, see, say and do…In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Joel 2:12-18<../vbible/search.asp?abbr=Joel&ch=2&bv1=12&ev1=18>

12 "Yet even now," says the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 13 and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and repents of evil. 14 Who knows whether he will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, a cereal offering and a drink offering for the LORD, your God? 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly; 16 gather the people. Sanctify the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber. 17 Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, "Spare thy people, O LORD, and make not thy heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, `Where is their God?'" 18 Then the LORD became jealous for his land, and had pity on his people.

Psalm 51:3-6, 12-14, 17<../vbible/search.asp?abbr=Ps&ch=51&bv1=3&ev1=6&bv2=12&ev2=14&bv3=17&ev3=17>

3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in thy sight, so that thou art justified in thy sentence and blameless in thy judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. 12 Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners will return to thee. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of thy deliverance. 17 The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

2 Corinthians 5:20<../vbible/search.asp?abbr=_2Cor&ch=5&bv1=20&ev1=21> – 6:2<../vbible/search.asp?abbr=_2Cor&ch=6&bv1=1&ev1=2>

20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

1 Working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says, "At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation." Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18<../vbible/search.asp?abbr=Matt&ch=6&bv1=1&ev1=6&bv2=16&ev2=18>

1 "Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 "Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 5 "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 16 "And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

What is Lent? Lent is the forty day period before Easter, excluding Sundays, which gebins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. CLICK to learn more: http://origin.ewtn.com/faith/lent/

Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letter

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html