Lenten Retreat: Week Five

Theme: "Be still before the Lord, wait for God." [Psalm 37, 3]

Grace: To grow in a deeper knowledge, love, and imitation of Jesus Christ

The prayer material for each day of this week is listed below.  

Day One: Monday, March 28

Prayer Material:  John 8: 1-11

Reflection:  Throwing verbal stones can injure the other in a variety of ways.  Jesus invites us to refrain from picking up anything to throw at another. Negative actions and harsh words tend to damage the human person. People who are trying to live with heavy burdens and problems need compassion, understanding, and acceptance - what Jesus showed to the woman caught in adultery. Inviting the Holy Spirit to fashion our hearts in the compassion, gentleness, and love of the Sacred Heart is to deepen the life of Christ within us.

"I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversion, that he might live." [Ezekiel 33, 11]

If you wish to read a personal prayer of repentance offered by a saint, then please click here.  

Day Two: Tuesday, March 29 

Prayer Material:  John 8: 12-20

Reflection:  "I am the way, the truth, and the light" says the Lord.  Light is the symbol of life, happiness, justice, the joy of salvation, and liberation in Christ.  Darkness is a symbol of death, disgrace, and negativity.  We need the light of the Holy Spirit to guide us in the way of God's will - to live with wholeness and harmony; to give proper values to a meaningful spiritual life.  Jesus would invite us to "let your light shine that people may see the goodness in your heart and give glory to God."  

"Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side."

[Psalm 23]

"Help me to see with your eyes, Lord! Blind me to the way the world sees so that I won't give in to judging people on their looks or skin color or possessions or personality. Help me to see, and to love, as you love, Lord - with eyes so wide open that they see past the outside and right into the heart of another."

                      [Taken from Seeing with God's Eyes]

If you wish to reflect upon the mind and heart of Jesus as described in the insightful book Jesus Before Christianity by Albert Nolan, please click here.

Additional Prayer References

John 9: 1-41 - the man born blind receives sight  

Day Three: Wednesday, March 30

Prayer Material:  Isaiah 49: 8-15

Reflection: Our baptism established each of us as an "adopted" child of God in Christ Jesus making us heirs of eternal glory - the same life as the Son of God enjoys. This faith relationship with Jesus Christ opens us to the heart of God's mercy, love, and peace. An active faith allows the Lord to work in and through us. As Paul reminds us, this covenant relationship allows us to call out "Abba, Father." Listen to this:

"God chose us in Christ before the world  began to be holy and blameless in his sight. He predestined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ, such was his will and pleasure that all might praise the glorious favor he has bestowed upon us in his beloved."  [Ephesians 1: 3-5]

Baptism puts each of us in the family-community of the Church. Do you celebrate being a Christian-Catholic?

"Give thanks to the Lord on the harp; sing to him a new song; cry out with joy to the Lord, you holy ones, sing a new song to him. The plan of the Lord stands forever; the design of his heart, through all generations. Happy the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen for His own inheritance. Our soul waits for the Lord who is our help and our shield; in His name we trust." [ Psalm 33]

If you would like to read a song written by a young Spanish teenager inviting youth to be Prophets of Hope, then please click here.  

Additional Prayer References

Ephesians 4: 1-16; Jeremiah 31: 31-34  

Day Four: Thursday, March 31

Prayer Material:  John 15: 1-9 

Reflection: Traditional Catholic Spirituality formerly spoke of the need for "purification" and "interior cleansing of the heart" as one grew in the spiritual life. Jesus uses images of nature to speak of the need for pruning or trimming "in order to bear more fruit." In this vein, mortification and self-discipline provide means to spiritual growth. Discernment in this area is very important lest one go overboard and try to do too much penance - as happened in the life of St. Ignatius. 

Some fasting is not only good for the body but also for the spirit. Do you wish to review the words of Jesus that were presented to us on Ash Wednesday? Pray Matthew 6:1-6 and 16-18..

If you wish to learn about a special way to pray with the Scriptures, please click here.  

Day 5: Friday, April 1

Prayer Material:  Matthew 14: 13-21

Reflection: Food was often on the mind of Jesus. "I am the Bread of Life." A healthy spiritual life needs to be nourished.  Where do you get the strength, conviction to be the person the Lord calls you to be? "You have been told what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: to do justice, to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God." [Micah 6, 8]  And Jesus quoted the Old Testament to answer the lawyer's question pertaining to what is most important in life: "You shall love the Lord your God, with all you heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  What is your source of energy to live this as a  Catholic-Christian?

"If you love me keep the commandments" says the Lord. Would you want to review the commandments to see if your attitudes and values line up with these expressions of the Will of God? If so, please click here.

Additional Prayer Reference

Isaiah 65: 17-21  

 Day Six: Saturday, April 2

Prayer Material: Mark 4: 35-41

Reflection:  We are old enough to know that life gets rather bumpy at times, making us feel anxious and worried - even powerless. When you think of your life, what are the major storms that rock and batter the heart causing you to fear?  Storms come - whether from within or from outside. And some of them are so difficult they test the depth of one's faith and trust. Jesus urged us to build our lives on a solid rock foundation so that when these trials and difficulties come we are not shaken from our religious convictions. The more our life is centered in Christ and anchored in him the better our chance of weathering the storm(s). The apostles had to learn the truth: "I am with you always: do not be afraid. I have conquered the world."  Does this comfort your heart?

If you want to pray over some comforting words from the Lord of compassion and mercy then click here.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. Trust in God and trust in Me." [John 14:1]

"Be brave and steadfast. Have no fear or dread. For it is the Lord, your God, who goes with you. God will not fail you. God will not forsake you."  [Deuteronomy 31:8]

"How can I respond to a God so good to me and surrounding me with the goodness of holy men and women and the wonderful gifts of creation?  All I can do is give thanks, wondering at God's forgiving love, which continues to give me life up to this moment.  By responding to God's merciful grace, I want to amend."

~St. Ignatius of Loyola 

The Spiritual Exercises, #61

Week 5: Prayer Links

Please click upon the links below for useful materials to enhance your prayer:

Prayer of Repentance 

Even the saints can sin. 
Read and reflect upon this moving prayer 
by St. Peter Canisius, S.J.

Song: "Prophets of Hope"

Lyrics written by a Latino youth about 
the pilgrim's journey to God

Lectio Divina

Traditional way of pondering 
and praying with Scripture

God's Commands

The true measuring stick

 for a healthy spiritual life

How to Begin Prayer

St. Ignatius recommends that the period of prayer begin by: 1) having a specific time/place for my prayer; 2) call to mind that I am in God's presence and that the Lord wants to listen and converse with me; and 3) pray for a generous spirit during my prayer period.

His prayer for generosity is:

Lord, teach me to be generous,

teach me to serve you as you deserve,

to give and not to count the cost,

to fight and not to heed the wounds,

to toil and not to seek for rest,

to labor and not to ask for any reward,

except to know it is your will I am doing.

Prayer Aid: The Examen

A review from Week 1

Discernment means to discover in one's life the working of the Holy Spirit or the working of the Evil Spirit, whom Ignatius calls "the enemy of human nature."

In order to help us discern the working of these two spirits, Ignatius gave us the Examen of Consciousness. This method provides a powerful step-by-step process that greatly enhances one's prayer and spiritual life.  Ignatius placed such a great deal of importance on the Examen that, even if one was too busy to pray in any other way, he or she should at least spend 10-20 minutes praying it on a daily basis.

The following five steps are suggested for making your Examen:                

1) God, I believe that at this moment I am in your presence and you are loving me. I am grateful for this love.

2) God, you know my needs better than I do. Give me your light and help as I review my day. I need help to see my motives, values that I live by.

3) God, help me to review the events of this day in order to recognize your blessings and my failures. Help me to notice the opportunities given and the blessings I didn't recognize.

4) God, I ask your forgiveness for my mistakes and I thank you for all your personal blessings to me. You are very good to me.

5) As I look forward to the remainder of this day [or tomorrow] make me aware that you are with me. Show me how to become the person you want me to be. Be with me and help me to be aware of your presence and love.  

***It is important to note that the above steps are not rules but guidelines for you to follow and adapt in whatever way most benefits your prayer life.

If you wish to review the Examen in greater detail, please click here.

Week in Review

How did your prayer go this week? 

Did you experience any consolation moments of peace or gratitude? Did you find it hard or easy to pray?

Did the love of God come clearer to you? Any consolation of being loved as I am?   

God is always "working" in the life of each person. Do you find this to be true in your life? How?