Offered by Dcn. George Kelly

 

Let me suggest that we take our Lenten goal [this year] from Jeremiah, “When I found your words, I devoured them; your words were my joy, the happiness of my heart, Because I bear your name, Lord, God of hosts.”  [15:16]

 

Today, we begin our Lenten Journey, may each one of us allow the gift of grace to guide our prayer life.  Focus on the Sign of the Cross, which is the sign of our Salvation it can provide the spiritual foundation for our journey this Lent.  

 

 

 

The Sign of the Cross is a gesture to heaven, a loving glance toward eternity this Antiphon from Morning Prayer [2/15/2021] “When will I come to the end of my pilgrimage and enter the presence of God?”, can help us remember that our time on earth is short.  It points to God, to our desire to trust in the Father, in the Son and through the Holy Spirit.  It prepares our heart, our soul and our will to openness to God’s Will for us.  

 

 

Lent has a lighter side,

 

The Sign of the Cross fundamentally reminds us that our life is not about us, it is about allowing God to shine through us each day, each action, each breath.  A recognition that we are not in control, but we are we are in love with God. 

 

 

The Sign of the Cross reminds us of the Trinity and the Cross. It is the one of the first lessons of Faith we learn, a visible confession of our faith, simultaneously a personal gesture, and a public witness.   A sign of our participation in the life of Christ and the Church, an outward gesture that points to an internal spiritual reality. By the Sign of the Cross, we offer our love and our life to Christ and invite the Holy Spirit to guide our lives in following Christ.

 

Our Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: “The Christian begins his day, his prayers and his activities with the Sign of the Cross: ‘in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.’ The baptized person dedicates the day to the glory of God and calls on the Savior’s grace which lets him act in the Spirit as a child of the Father. The Sign of the Cross strengthens us in temptations and difficulties” (CCC, no. 2157; see also CCC, no. 786).

 

 

   

May Lent 2021 bring your closer to God, Who is Father, Son & Holy Spirit and each time you pray the Sign of the Cross may the Lord fill you with His Spirit.  Spend a few minutes reading for the Word of God and then take a few moments in silence, reflect on the gift of this Lent.

 

Saint Joseph, pray for us.

Saint Andre Bessette intercede for us.

May God Be Blessed!