Merriam-Webster Dictionary is "something or someone that gives joy to someone." Jesus is our Joy and our Savior! The season of Lent draws us closer to our Joy through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. It is good and fitting that amid the complexity of human emotion, we hold both sorrow and joy in our hearts all at once--sorrow for what we have done that separates us from our Joy, and gratitude for the mercy and forgiveness that is ours through what Jesus has done for us. As we prepare our hearts for our Joy at Easter with acts of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, may our Joy be visible in us, sharing the hope and promise of our Savior through our countenance, our works, and our witness of all that it good! 

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Lenten Joy?

Results filtered by “Sr. Judith Davies”
in Lent

Getting in (Spiritual) Shape

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Lent is a way for us to put ourselves in shape for life. Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are the three recommended practices for Lent. Adding a few minutes of prayer for the person who irritates us will lift a burden that might be weighing down our hearts. Fasting from critical remarks or from sending a “zinger” someone’s way may not decrease our girth but will increase our love. Giving a helping hand or words of encouragement to another are better than any amount of money or material gifts that could ever be offered.

The Lord has given us a wonderful opportunity this Lent. Can we accept the challenge? Can we accept the benefits? Can we be open to new life? 

Posted by Sr. Judith Davies
Tags: prayer, encouragement, lent
in Letting Go, Lent

Letting Go During Lent

“What are you giving up for Lent?” That was a question asked years ago before we thought about Lent in terms of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Maybe this Lent could be an opportunity for a slightly different approach. How about if we focus on letting go as it relates to prayer, fasting and almsgiving?

Letting go of what we have gathered is not easy and, in fact, can be quite overwhelming. “Where do I start?” “How can I get through everything?” “I might as well give up!” The good news is that we can begin by asking the Lord’s assistance through prayer. We will succeed when we take things step by step, one drawer, one box, one cabinet at a time. We will be bound to discover things that can be given away. That stuff will enable us to engage in almsgiving. Letting go of the extra stuff or streamlining our possessions can be a form of fasting. The result will be a lightness of spirit, a glorious experience of freedom, and a tremendous sense of accomplishment this Lent. What a marvelous Easter we will enjoy!    

Posted by Sr. Judith Davies
Tags: prayer, letting go, fasting, lent, almsgiving, a different approach to lent