A Concord Pastor Comments: Praying 10 Minutes a Day through Lent...

It was six weeks ago now that I invited you to consider praying 10 minutes a day through the season of Lent. And with sundown tomorrow (Thursday) and the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, the season of Lent 2012 comes to a close.

It's been helpful for my own Lenten practice to offer these daily posts since working on them, day to day, brings me to the scriptures and prayer in preparing to draw you to a similar experience of God's presence.

Be still... and know that I am God...

Some of your have commented here on these daily posts and even more have done so on and through FaceBook where I've also posted these daily reminders. Just as many have emailed with comments and reflections on how these posts have helped keep you in the Lenten spirit. I'm grateful for what you've shared...

So, this daily Lenten series is now complete.

Tomorrow is Holy Thursday and the beginning of the Paschal Triduum, those three liturgies (Thursday, Friday and the Vigil) which comprise the great Paschal feast for Christians.

Tomorrow, then, I invite you to spend a little more than 10 minutes in prayer. I invite you to consider going to your parish celebration of the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper. Yes, it's longer than the average Sunday liturgy but it only comes 'round once a year and what it has to offer you is more than you might imagine.

Thursday night and the next two days' prayer are the most beautiful the Church celebrates in the whole liturgical year. It's a shame that so many Catholic people go to their graves having never kept and celebrated their Church's most important feasts.

So, give it some thought! Set aside the time and plan on entering the spirit of the Triduum and keeping the feast whose Lord keeps us!

Be still... and know that God is near...
Set aside the time for prayer with the church community...
Let this annual feast of God's mercy take charge of your calendar...
Come to prayer and ask the Lord for the peace you seek...
Come and let the prayer of the Church draw you closer to Christ...
Be still... and know that God is near...