Fifth Sunday of Lent

Jer. 31:31-34
Ps. 51:3-4, 12-15
Heb. 5:7-9
Jn. 12:20-33

Bumper Stickers

• I considered atheism, but there weren't enough holidays.


• There is always death and taxes; however, death doesn't get worse every year.

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OPERATION RICE BOWL
    In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds us that judgment, repentance and dying to sin are necessary before we can truly know the joy of God's mercy, forgiveness, and new life in Christ. Jesus put it this way: "If you love your life, you must let it go...If you want to serve me, you must follow me and do what I do."

      As we continue our Operation Rice Bowl journey let us remember in prayer that we are one human family, regardless of our differences. Answering the call to love our neighbors will promote a culture of respect and lead to peace in our communities around the world. May our fasting keep us mindful we are "our brothers' and sisters' keepers." May our almsgiving assist Catholic Relief Services as we learn about HIV/AIDS programming in Zambia.

Fourth Sunday of Lent

2 Chr. 36:14-16, 19-23
Ps. 137:1-6
Eph. 2:4-10
Jn. 3:14-21

• Can you recall other examples in the Bible where God's mercy trumps God's justice?
  What do these examples tell us about the character of God?


• In what sense can today's text from John's Gospel portray Jesus' suffering and death as proof of God's love for the world?


• Can God's mercy be a model for us in our lives?
  Have you shown mercy to another?

Have you said your Rosary today?

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In the Divine Plan, all good comes from Calvary from suffering.

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Third Sunday of Lent

Ex 20:1-17 or 20:1-3, 7-8,12-17
Ps 19:8-11
1 Cor 1:22-25
Jn 2:13-25

• Are the Ten Commandments timeless laws applicable in every place?
  Or are they something else in the context of the paschal mystery?


• How does the Old Testament feast of Passover help us to understand the better Jesus' death and resurrection?
  In the framework of the paschal mystery what do the power and wisdom of God look like?


• How might more explicit reflection of the paschal mystery affect your participation in the Eucharist?

THE CROSS ROOM
    The young man was at the end of his rope. Seeing no way out he dropped to his knees in prayer.
    "Lord, I can't go on," he said. "I have too heavy a cross to bear." The Lord replied, "My son, if you can't bear its weight, just place your cross inside this room. Then open that other door and pick out any cross you wish."
    The man was filled with relief. "Thank you, Lord," he signed, and he did as he was told. Upon entering the other door he saw many crosses, some so large the tops were not visible. Then spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall. "I'd lke that one, Lord," he whispered. And the Lord replied, "My son, that is the cross you just brought in."

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PRAYER FOR LENT
O Good and Gracious God, you call your people back to you this Lent. May this sacred season renew our desire to always live fully the promises of our baptism and to love you with our whole heart. Through more frequent prayer, acts of charity toward our neighbor, and fasting, may we remember that the most important thing we can do is to love you and one another. We ask these things through Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord and our Savior.
AMEN.

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"Words may tear our lives apart, bring us stormy weather; A compliment tucked in the heart can heal it back together."

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Christianity is the religion of paradoxes. The way up is down; the way to get is to give; the way to be first is to be last; and the way to live is to die.

Second Sunday of Lent

Gn. 22:1-2,9a,10-13,15-18
Ps. 116:10,15-19
Rom. 8:31b-34
Mk. 9:2-10

• Imagine yourself in Abraham's dilemma. What confussion and terror might you feel?
  In what sense did Abraham "hope against hope" (see Rom. 4:18)?


• Why is it appropriate to read the account of Jesus' transfiguration on the Second Sunday of Lent?
  What hope does it hold out for Jesus and for us?


• How do you react to Paul's interpretation of Jesus' death as a sign of God's love for us?
  What questions does it raise?
  What answers does it offer?

WASH DAY

MONDAY - Wash Day

Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead.

TUESDAY - Ironing Day

Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have collected through the years so that I may see the beauty of others.

WEDNESDAY - Mending Day

O God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for others.

THURSDAY - Cleaning Day

Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.

FRIDAY - Shopping Day

O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love.

SATURDAY - Cooking Day

Help me, my Saviour, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.

SUNDAY - The Lord's Day

O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please come into my heart so I may spend the day and the rest of my life in your presence.

More Devotionals are available at:
  Operation Rice Bowl
  Xavier Youth
  Bible Study Aides
  Inspirational Insights
  Motivational

First Sunday of Lent

Gn. 9 :8-15
Ps. 25:4-9
1 Pt. 3:18-22
Mk. 1:12-15

• When you see a rainbow, what do you think of?
  Do you ever imagine it as a symbol of the covenant of Christ?
  
• What aspects of baptism are evoked by the reference to Noah and his ark in the reading from 1 Peter?


• How might the covenant with Noah serve as a stimulus for greater ecological sensitivity?

A LENTEN CHALLENGE
    Many traveler and visitors are new to our parish. Each week find at least one person you do not know and visit with them and make them feel welcome at St. Xavier Church.

    The basis for our Lenten observance is captured in today's reading from 1 Peter:
"Christ suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God."