As a community of faith, we are called to practice the three Pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It can be temptingly easy to slide into old habits each Lent. Choosing to give up the same old thing (chocolate) or to turn exclusively inward (getting off social media). Yet we must remember as Catholic Christians that we make this journey together. As St. Augustine (and our Lenten theme) impel us- our Catholic Tradition must be Ever Ancient and Ever New. In this way our three-fold Lenten call encourages us to reimagine the new things to which we are called in the season and to walk alongside our sisters and brothers as they also respond to God’s invitation to a unique Lent. Thus we extend ourselves outward in prayer and almsgiving, fast from things that separate us from deep intimacy with Jesus, and embrace the invitation to engage in the gift of communal prayer.
This year, as a Collaborative, each week in Lent we will offer a Question of the Week which will be related to the Sunday readings. The questions will be published in the bulletin and on the website, and proposed briefly before the final blessing at every Mass during the Lenten season. This is an opportunity for our Collaborative community to be praying in companionship with one another, while simultaneously examining our individual spirituality. Consider this a collaborative-wide Lenten mini retreat!
Question for the First Week of Lent
Our Responsorial Psalm today is a petition to God – “Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble”.
In what area of your life do you most need God’s presence and when have you seen the Lord provide for you when you were in trouble?
Do you consider your need for God a strength or weakness?