Monday Morning Offering: March 10

Coffee in the Morning by George Mendoza


Good morning, good God!

In the spirit of this holy season, Lord,
I offer you a contrite heart...

I don't understand the mystery of your mercy, Lord:
how you love me even in my sins;
how you never fail to find in me something good,
something to love...

You never cease to reach out
to rescue me from my selfish ways,
to bring me home to your embrace,
to mend what's broken in me,
to heal what's sick,
to forgive what's sinful...

I don't understand, Lord,
but I'm ever grateful for the depths of the mercy
you never fail to offer me...

So this morning, Lord,
I offer you my contrite heart...

So great is your love for me,
the delight you take in me,
so taken are you with how my soul
mirrors you, my Creator,
that even when I forget,
when I tarnish,
when I deny your beauty within me,
still you call me back by your grace
and offer me your pardon...

So this morning, Lord,
I offer you my contrite heart...

Help me remember that you meet me
just where I need you:
where I'm rough-edged,
you come to smooth me;
where I'm broken,
you come to mend me;
where I'm weak,
you come to strengthen me;
where I'm sick,
you come to heal me;
where I've sinned,
you come to forgive me...

And so I offer you my contrite heart...

Forgive my sins, Lord,
and nurture what all that's good within me:
be gentle in receiving the heart I offer
for it's a broken, contrite heart...

Help me forgive any who've have hurt me, Lord:
help me find the good within them...

Help me see in others what you see and love
and make me gentle in welcoming them
into my broken, contrite heart...

Help me to trust the mystery of your mercy, Lord,
the mystery of your merciful, forgiving Heart...

This morning, today and tonight,
and through the season of Lent ahead of me,
I offer you, O God, my contrite heart...

I offer you my soul, Lord,
because I know you'll never turn away
a broken, contrite heart...

Amen.


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Confession: The Sacrament of Reconciliation

Some readers have asked me to post the contents of the bulletin insert I mentioned in my homily today. 

The material is very simple: my weekly letter, focused on the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and an outline of "how to go to confession," including some questions for reflection to help a penitent prepare to celebrate this sacrament.

I hope you will find this material from my bulletin helpful as part of your Lenten experience...


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Homily for March 9

Homily for the First Sunday of Lent
(Scriptures for today's Mass)

Audio for homily

The gospel on the first Sunday of Lent is always an account
of Jesus being tempted in the desert.
This is by design  --  not by accident or simple repetition.

We begin the season of Lent by confronting temptation.
What’s temptation?
It’s a strong urge or desire to have or do something --
especially something that’s bad, wrong, or unwise.
And that’s why temptation is usually connected with sin:
we’re  flirting with something we know isn’t good for us..
• We tease out the possibilities the temptation appears to offer.
• We allow ourselves to imagine what it would be like
to fall for the temptation.
• We dream or fantasize what pleasure or ease might be ours
if we follow temptation’s path.
• In our minds, we look at what tempts us and try it on for size.
• We consider our present burdens and problems
and imagine the relief that giving into temptation might provide.
• We allow that imagined relief to loom larger than any other solution
to the difficulties at hand.
• We begin to picture what the temptation promises as a cozy place,
a getaway, an escape from what troubles us.

Finally, we convince ourselves that what we’re tempted by
not only isn’t wrong – but might actually be good,
something we truly need and deserve.
If I sound like someone who’s pretty familiar with temptation –
that’s because I am.

Temptation is a con job -- and there are two con artists at work.
First, there’s the power of evil in the world and in our lives.
Some call this the devil or Satan or Lucifer,
others say simply, “the evil one.”
And I’m sure that evil, however you name it,
delights in our arguing over whether or not there’s a devil
when such arguments distract us from evil at work in our lives.
How, or whether or not you personify evil:
there’s something afoot in the world,
tempting basically good people to do things
that basically good people don’t do:
things that are basically wrong.

I know that even when I’m sure of
the right thing to do,  the good thing to do, the kind thing to do,
the trustworthy and honest thing to do:
I’m tempted to do what’s wrong, bad, mean, unfaithful and dishonest.
And sometimes I give into temptation.
I sin.

Whoever or whatever it is in our minds and hearts that tempts us
to do what offends God and hurts others and ourselves,
I know that power is strong, subtle, devious, cunning and real.

The power of evil is one con artist in the business of temptation
and the second con man is myself.
I do such a good job at CON-vincing myself
that what I know is wrong isn’t really all that bad,
it might even be good in some ways,
and besides,  it’s pleasing to consider, very desirable
and hey -  it might even be helpful in the long run:
something like a piece of fruit, hanging within arm’s reach,
on a tree in the middle of an ancient garden…

The design of hearing this gospel every year on the first Sunday of Lent
helps us confront what tempts us
and examine how we respond to temptation.
In the story, Jesus had just fasted for 40 days and 40 nights.
He was in a physically weakened condition,
but he overcame each temptation he met.
Our track record is seldom as good as the Lord’s.
We give into temptation.  We sin.

Lent is a time to look within and take some personal inventory.
It’s a time to learn to name the power of evil
tempting basically good people to do what’s basically wrong.
Lent’s a time to examine our conscience and come to know our sins
and to ask the Lord for mercy and forgiveness.

In the bulletin this week you’ll find this four-page insert.
It’s a guide for considering going to confession this Lent.
Inside, you’ll find two pages of questions to reflect on.
One page is for adults, one page is for teens.
On the back cover there are simpler questions for children.* 
The questions offer one way for us to discern
how we’re dealing with temptation in our lives;
how we’re handling the spiritual con artists we face;
how we name our sins;
and what we do when that juicy piece of fruit
is there for the picking and we’re hungry for a bite.

In an age of relativism as permissive as our own,
we’ve lost a sense of personal sin.
This is as true of us believers as it is of the culture in which we live.
Lent is a time to be more honest with ourselves and with God
about how we live
and to ask for the forgiveness each of us needs.

For just such mercy did the Lord offer himself for us on the Cross
and with the very same mercy he shares himself with us
in the Bread and Cup of the Eucharist at this altar.

May this Lent be a time for all of us
to acknowledge our need for God’s mercy
and his pardon of our sins. 


* Here's a sample of the questions referred to above: an examination of conscience preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

ADULTS Prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation 

- Do I love God?  Do I worship God?  Are there false gods I worship by giving them more attention than I give to God (work, money, position, prestige, superstition, possessions?)  Do I pray every day?  Do I pray on Sundays by participating at Mass?   Do I make an effort to grow in faith and in knowledge of my Church and its teachings? Do I thank God for his gifts to me?  Am I careful not to use the name of God and the name of Jesus carelessly?

- Do I love others?  At home?   At work?  In my neighborhood?  At school? Have I abused anyone - physically or emotionally?  Do I speak unkindly to others - or about others?  Do I give my parents the respect they deserve?  Am I a good and faithful parent?  Am I good to my brothers and sisters? Am I faithful to my friends?  Do I reach out generously to the poor? Do I share my belongings with friends and family members?  Do I try to care for the needs of others before I take care of my own needs?   Do I invite other people into my group of friends?  Do I exclude other people from my circle of friends?  Do I reach out to those who are lonely?

- Have I stolen?  Have I taken what does not belong to me?  Have I taken anything I have not paid for?  Have I damaged what belongs to others? Am I envious or jealous of what other people have?  Am I greedy or selfish?  Do I place too much importance on material goods?  Do I trust that God will provide what I truly need?

- Do I tell the truth?  Do I lie?  Am I honest with myself?  Am I honest with God?  Am I honest with my family?  Am I honest with my employers? with those with whom I do business?  with my teachers?  with my classmates?  with my friends?  Am I fair in my dealings with others?   Do I  object to injustice when I see it and work to remedy it?  Do I cheat?  Do I take credit for work that’s not mine? Do I gossip about others?  Do I contribute to tearing down the reputations of other people?  Do I forgive those who have hurt me?  Do I ask forgiveness of those whom I have hurt?  Do I hold grudges or resentments?

- Have I taken care of and respected the gift of my body?  Have I abused my body and my mind with drugs or alcohol?  Have I respected the gift of sexuality that God has given me?  Have I respected the sexuality of other persons? Have I  been faithful to my spouse in thought, word and deed?  Have I taken advantage of another person for my own pleasure?  Do I take part in entertainment, Internet sites, conversations or jokes of an inappropriate nature?

- Have I been faithful to my conscience?  Have I given in to the pressure of those around me to things I know are wrong?  Have I encouraged others to participate in wrongdoing?

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Pause for Prayer: SUNDAY 3/9

Got the ashes on Wednesday
   (or didn't)...

Know what I'm giving up for Lent
   (not really)...

Praying more each day
   (not so much)...

Setting coin aside to help the poor
   (wanna do that)...

Off to a great start  
   (it's Lent already?)...

Lord,
   it's five days into Lent
   and we're all in different places...

Some of us have run five laps,
   others are still looking for the start line...

Some of us do this really well
   and some of us have a hard time with it...

Help us all be modest in our goals
   and realistic in our pledges...

Help us make a simple plan for Lent

   and keep it - with your help...

Help us pause each day for prayer,
   if only for three minutes...

Help us fast and go without
   to learn what truly feeds us...

Open up our wallets, our hearts,
   to those in need...

It's still early, not too late to start,
   on Lent's first Sunday morning...

Today's the day that you have made:
   Lord, call us back you with all our heart...

 

     
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Praying behind the wheel

I seldom have passengers in my car so my ride often doubles as a chapel: a time and place for prayer.  As you can see, I've placed one of my pocket Crosses on the dash just beneath my little buddy, Timothy.  (Well, I guess I generally DO have a passenger!)  The Cross is a great Lenten reminder for me every time I'm on the road.

For more on Timothy, take a look these two posts.

If you'd like a pocket Cross, here's how to get one.

I've received many request for these little Crosses and folks have sent along some very kind notes for which I'm very grateful - thank you!

 

     
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Don't forget to set your clocks ahead!

This is the weekend!

Before you go to bed on Saturday night, March 8,
be sure to set your clocks AHEAD one hour 
for Daylight Saving Time!


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Pause for Prayer: SATURDAY 2/8

Michelangelo

Come back to me with all your heart...
  
When you ask me to come back
I know you think I've strayed 
or even gone away...

And you're right, Lord...

I know you're always by my side,
of that I'm sure
but I wander, I get lost...

I drift from knowing your presence, but
   you never take your eye from me,
   you never take a step away:
   you're beside me, before me and behind me,
   above me and below me,
   Lord, you're even within me...

But with a turn of my heart,
with a twist of my thoughts,
in the blink of an eye
I forget
(am I afraid?)
or perhaps I don't trust
how close you are to me
in every hour of every night and day...

Come back to me with all your heart...

I stray from your love
though you're so close at hand
and believe, in self-pity,
that you no longer care...

Come back to me with all your heart...

I choose my own way
as you walk by my side
and you follow my steps
as I turn from your path...

Come back to me with all your heart...

I want my own way
and insist that I'm right
I pout over troubles
and give you the blame...

Come back to me with all your heart...

You stand by my side
and give me the freedom to choose
to take your hand or turn away
and drift again in foolishness and fear:
I often take the lonely way
and fail to trust your love...

And still you remain
right by my side
as I close my eyes
to yours seeking mine...

Come back to me with all your heart...

So when you call me to come back
with all my heart,
you're right:
I've strayed or even gone away,
I've wandered and I'm lost...

Give the grace I need this Lent
to turn my heart and thoughts to you,
to remember and to trust
how close you are to me,
how near's the love you offer...

Come back to me with all your heart...

Help me come back to you, O Lord,
with all my heart,
this Lent...



 

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So, so good!

Photo by CP

A surprise on the specials menu tonight at Vincenzo's:
lightly seared tuna over noodles, perfectly plated by Pete!



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Pause for Prayer: FRIDAY 2/7

Image source

Come back to me with all your heart...

Lord, if I come back to you
with all my heart
I'll be coming back
with a heavy heart...

My heart has its share of burdens
and sometimes the weight of it all
can crush...

There's the burden of painful memories
and the weight of my grief over
loved ones I've lost,
mistakes I've made,
opportunities lost, now long gone,
careless words spoken in haste,
wasted days and months and years
and the times I've turned and walked away
from the help and healing offered me
by you and many others, Lord...

At different times my heavy heart
weighs hard upon my spirit
and I long for ways to rise above
what holds me down and keeps me
from the journey home to you,
with all my heart...

Come back to me with all your heart...

Unburden me this Lent and lighten my soul
laden with its grief and disappointment,
its memories, heavy stones
that weigh within the pockets of my heart
and pull me down into the depths...

Come back to me with all your heart...

Lift up what I can't move, Lord,
and free me me from the heaviness
that weighs upon my spirit...

Come back to me with all your heart...

With your strong arm deliver me:
diminish my burdens, Lord,
and ease me out from under
all that overwhelms my joy...

Come back to me with all your heart...

Refresh my soul, Lord,
and put a new spirit within me:
help me walk the path
that brings me home to you
with all my heart...



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March 7 is a FRIDAY in Lent and so...

... it's a day to abstain from eating meat.

What does that mean?  

Catholics over 14 years of age 

are expected to abstain from eating meat 

on the Fridays of Lent.

If this seems to be asking too much, check out the story in this earlier post...

Note: Individual, personal health concerns and "doctor's orders" always take precedence over regulations for fast and abstinence!

Fast and Abstinence In Lent

All Christians are called to special prayer, fasting and caring for the poor in the season of Lent.

Each person determines how he or she will personally live out these ancient Lenten exercises. 

In addition to personal Lenten practices, Catholics are also called to a communal practice of self-denial by abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday, the Fridays of Lent and on Good Friday.

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