Late have I loved you, Lord...
- St. Augustine
Lent ends at sundown on Holy Thursday, just a week away (April 2) so we're almost at the end of this holy season... How have we done this Lent, you and I? Remember,
it's never too late to begin living Lent...
So, send your Spirit to help me, Lord: to pick me up and dust me off and give me a fresh start for the week that lies ahead...
Send your Spirit to move me to prayer, Lord - even if only for a few minutes each day... And keep me modest in my promise and faithful in my follow-through...
Send your Spirit to remind me in the morning and at night (or in the afternoon) to pause, slow down, to stop and rest with you for a few minutes - for a chat, for some time to share my heart with you, time to share my sorrows and my joys, my hopes and disappointments...
Send your Spirit, Lord, to help me fast: to empty my body, my belly, my pockets, my imagination and my mind - of what I don't need, of what I have too much of; of what's not good or healthy or helpful for me; of possessions that, in fact, own me; and of good things, too, whose sacrifice might sharpen my hunger, thirst and taste for even greater gifts...
Send your Spirit, Lord, to move me to mercy: mercy in my words, mercy in my thoughts; mercy in my deeds, mercy in my stubborn heart; mercy in my attitudes, mercy in my gratitude; mercy in my grudges, mercy in my resentments; mercy in my giving to the poor: all in this season of your mercy, Lord - your boundless, bountiful mercy for all - and for me, a sinner, who needs your mercy daily...
I have a week of Lent left, Lord, and I offer it to you and pray you make of it a time of grace and growth as I prepare to celebrate your suffering, death and rising in the peace of Easter joy...
Lent ends at sundown on Holy Thursday, just a week away (April 2) so we're almost at the end of this holy season... How have we done this Lent, you and I? Remember,
it's never too late to begin living Lent...
Not sure I've done a great job this Lent, Lord... I had plenty of good intentions and really high hopes back - but maybe I promised you (and myself) too much...
Maybe I should have been more honest about where I was before making pledges about getting to where I wanted to be...
Maybe I was trying to impress you (or myself) with promises too big to keep...
Still, I know: it's never too late...
I look back and realize that if I'd been more modest in my ambition I might be looking at a better Lenten record today...
I look back and realize that if I'd depended more on you and less on me, I might have been more faithful to my Lenten goals...
But there's no grace in stewing in my failures and I know you, Lord: you're the God of second chances...
I can just feel bad about the time I wasted - or - I can, with new resolve, make the best of the time that's left...
Better that the week ahead be fruitful - than for me to add it to the sketchy weeks behind me...
I look back and realize that if I'd depended more on you and less on me, I might have been more faithful to my Lenten goals...
But there's no grace in stewing in my failures and I know you, Lord: you're the God of second chances...
I can just feel bad about the time I wasted - or - I can, with new resolve, make the best of the time that's left...
Better that the week ahead be fruitful - than for me to add it to the sketchy weeks behind me...
Because I know: it's never too late...
So, send your Spirit to help me, Lord: to pick me up and dust me off and give me a fresh start for the week that lies ahead...
Send your Spirit to move me to prayer, Lord - even if only for a few minutes each day... And keep me modest in my promise and faithful in my follow-through...
Send your Spirit to remind me in the morning and at night (or in the afternoon) to pause, slow down, to stop and rest with you for a few minutes - for a chat, for some time to share my heart with you, time to share my sorrows and my joys, my hopes and disappointments...
Send your Spirit, Lord, to help me fast: to empty my body, my belly, my pockets, my imagination and my mind - of what I don't need, of what I have too much of; of what's not good or healthy or helpful for me; of possessions that, in fact, own me; and of good things, too, whose sacrifice might sharpen my hunger, thirst and taste for even greater gifts...
Send your Spirit, Lord, to move me to mercy: mercy in my words, mercy in my thoughts; mercy in my deeds, mercy in my stubborn heart; mercy in my attitudes, mercy in my gratitude; mercy in my grudges, mercy in my resentments; mercy in my giving to the poor: all in this season of your mercy, Lord - your boundless, bountiful mercy for all - and for me, a sinner, who needs your mercy daily...
I have a week of Lent left, Lord, and I offer it to you and pray you make of it a time of grace and growth as I prepare to celebrate your suffering, death and rising in the peace of Easter joy...
Because I know: it's never too late...
In the quiet of my prayer tonight, Lord, open my heart to this last week of Lent and help me make a modest pledge to pray, to sacrifice and to serve the poor - all in your name...
Just one week left in Lent, Lord: with your grace, help me make the best of it...
In the quiet of my prayer tonight, Lord, open my heart to this last week of Lent and help me make a modest pledge to pray, to sacrifice and to serve the poor - all in your name...
Just one week left in Lent, Lord: with your grace, help me make the best of it...
Help me believe, Lord: it's never too late...
Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake
and watch over me while I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
Amen.
It's Never Too Late by Panam Percy Paul
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When all your hope is gone
and there's nowhere to turn,
it'll be alright
Though darkness surrounds
your way everyday,
it'll be alright
When all your friends are gone
and there's nowhere to turn,
it's never too late for Jesus
Though darkness surrounds
your way everyday,
it's never too late for Jesus
Never too late, He is there when you call
Never too late, He will break every wall
Never too late when you call on Jesus
Never too late for Him
He will be your light in your darkest night
It's never too late oh
Never too late for Jesus
It's never too late, it'll be alright
It's never too late, it'll be alright...
It's never too late, it'll be alright
It's never too late, it'll be alright
But your body is so weak,
and you think you will die
It's never too late for Jesus
Though you think you are so poor,
you've got no place to lie
It's never too late for Jesus
Never too late, He is there when you call
Never too late, He will break every wall
Never too late when you call on Jesus
Never too late for Him
He will be your light in your darkest night
It's never too late oh
Never too late for Jesus
It's never too late, it'll be alright
It's never too late, it'll be alright..
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