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1 Lenten Reflections on Mercy and Forgiveness Week 1 READINGS: Deuteronomy 26:4 10; Romans 10:8 13; Luke 4:1 13 Renata Sedmakova / Shutterstock.com Jesus offers us spiritual strength In this week s Gospel reading, Jesus was led by the Spirit (Lk 4:1) into the desert for forty days. There, he was pestered by Satan so that he could experience every temptation (v. 13), a truly remarkable feat by any standard. During this time, Jesus was made acutely aware of the difficulties we experience as humans who struggle with sin. More importantly, Jesus reveals that in the face of temptations we can draw upon his grace and strength, as he himself has endured such temptations. In debating the You shall worship the Lord, your God, / and him alone shall you serve (Lk 4:8). prince of darkness, he helped us become fellow soldiers in the spiritual battle. As we begin our Lenten journey, let us call to mind our need to be made aware. Jesus was made aware of how difficult it is to live a holy life. We, through our sacrifices of time, talent, and treasure, are led by the Spirit to our own spiritual deserts where we can experience God s grace of mercy in the silence of our hearts. There, and only there, can we truly become aware of our own spiritual strength. Pray contemplatively Thomas Aquinas was a quiet man who experienced a multitude of temptations. He was a master of contemplative prayer, which led him to overcome those temptations to a heroic degree. He lived a life of intense focus, studying and pondering God, and sharing his wisdom with others in deed, speech, and writing. As you continue your Lenten journey, spend time in contemplative prayer each day. Ponder the things of God by reading Scripture and spiritual books, and meditating on God s will for your life. Renata Sedmakova / Shutterstock.com For Reflection Are you aware of God s mercy in your life? What temptations do you struggle with? How are you preparing to enter into your spiritual desert this Lent?

2 For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. ~ CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY Tips for seeking FORGIVENESS DO YOU NEED FORGIVING? If you are aware of something you have done to harm others, try taking these first steps: Go to confession. Pray for the person you offended and ask for God to help bring peace between you both. Reach out to the person you offended and ask them for forgiveness. DO YOU NEED TO FORGIVE? Pray for the person who offended you and for God to help bring peace between you both. Reach out to the person who offended you and forgive them. WORD Meanings The word mercy comes from the Latin merces, which means reward. Mercy is God s undeserved gift for those who show mercy. Hence, in the Lord s Prayer we say, Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. May we always remember that God offers mercy to all, but it can only be accepted by those who show mercy to others. Fasting TIPS Offer your fasting up for someone who needs spiritual strength. Archbishop Fulton Sheen called this type of suffering a spiritual blood transfusion that can enliven the soul of those for whom we suffer. Think about that person every time you are tempted to break your fast. Then, overcome it and know that your efforts are making a difference with the help of the Holy Spirit. God created us without us: but he did not will to save us without us. To receive his mercy, we must admit our faults (1847). Holy Father, I am not perfect, but you are. Help me to become more perfect like you through your gift of mercy. May I be made worthy of such a reward by showing that same mercy to those who offend me and asking for forgiveness of those whom I have offended. For print use only. Copyright by Our Sunday Visitor, Inc. Nihil Obstat: Msgr. Michael Heintz, Ph.D. Censor Librorum Imprimatur Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend

3 Lenten Reflections on Mercy and Forgiveness Week 2 READINGS: Genesis 15: 5 12,17 18; Philippians 3:17 4:1; Luke 9:28b 36 While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white (Lk 9:29). Transfigure toward mercy by accepting it In this week s reading, three of the apostles experience something they do not quite understand. As Jesus was transfigured before them with Moses and Elijah at his side, Peter thought it right to build tents for each, to contain this moment that he knew to be good. But the voice of God interrupted him and said, This is my chosen Son; listen to him (Lk 9:35). It turned out that Peter s plans weren t God s plans at all. All of sudden, it was over. Jesus was found alone, and the light that emitted from him was dimmed. The disciples, especially Peter, were left with more questions than answers. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen (v. 36). We oftentimes don t understand God s mercy in our lives. We are limited in our understanding, and our perception of our motives and those of others can only go so far. We try to live lives of peace and order, but sometimes our own plans don t work out and we end up hurting others. As Catholics, our job isn t to understand God s mercy; it is to accept it. When we do this well, we come to a deeper understanding of how God works in our lives. It is only through this acceptance that we can truly see as God sees, which enables us to do as God does by offering that same mercy to those who are most in need of it, none needier than ourselves. For Reflection Is God s will for your life clear to you right now? Have you seen God work through the unplanned events in your life? Do you find it easy to accept God s mercy? Renata Sedmakova / Shutterstock.com

4 How happy I am to see myself imperfect and be in need of God s mercy. ~ ST. THÉRÈSE OF THE CHILD JESUS jorisvo / Shutterstock.com Attach yourself to GOD Detachment has always been a means by which people have come closer to God. We witness Jesus constant detachment from worldly things every time he climbs a mountain to pray, preaches about the Kingdom, and heals the poor and outcast. He is the model par excellence of detachment. When it comes to accepting God s gift of mercy, our first step is to mimic the saints who followed Christ s call to detachment. The first reaction of every holy man or woman after they accept this reward reacts the same way with a sense of unworthiness that is followed by acts of fasting to make up for the sins they committed. In other words, we disassociate ourselves with our former life and detach from our old ways. We are then a new creation (2 Cor 5:17) and thus better equipped to complete our God-given mission. What do you need to detach from so as to attach yourself to God more intimately? Fasting TIPS Consider making a fast from technology this week. Apart from abstaining from meat on Friday, try going off social media, streaming videos, or other forms of digital entertainment. If you really want to go all out, try fasting from all screens and take that time to pray and reflect. Become an instrument of peace Francis of Assisi was a man lost in the darkness of sin. He was selfish and determined to gain honor as a soldier and popularity as a frequent partygoer. It wasn t long before he hit rock bottom as a constant consumer of worldly pleasures. He realized his life was not welllived, and God told him in a dream to return from war and convert his life. He spent several months attempting to live a good, holy life, oftentimes spending nights in a nearby cave where he would weep for his sins. It wasn t until he became completely detached from worldly desires that he found true peace and a reason for being serving the poor. After years of service and founding many like-minded communities, he would become one of the greatest saints the Church has ever known. As you continue your Lenten journey, take a page from St. Francis s book and accept the mercy from God that will transform you into something greater than your own desires for yourself. God is the potter, and we are the clay. May he make of you a beautiful instrument of his peace. Lord, I am not worthy to be called your servant, but, nevertheless, I am. Allow me to accept your mercy with humility and purity of heart so that I may teach others to do the same. Strengthen me in my weakness and allow me to overcome my imperfections so that I might better imitate your Son to whom I am forever in debt. For print use only. Copyright by Our Sunday Visitor, Inc. Nihil Obstat: Msgr. Michael Heintz, Ph.D. Censor Librorum Imprimatur Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend

5 Lenten Reflections on Mercy and Forgiveness Week 3 READINGS: Exodus 3:1 8a,13 15; 1 Corinthians 10:1 6,10 12; Luke 13:1 9 We must work toward our salvation Not forgiving someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. Holding a grudge against those who have wronged you only destroys you on the inside. It does nothing to create peace. That s why Jesus said, Blessed are the peacemakers, / for they will be called sons of God (Mt 5:9). God s mercy is given as a reward for those who pursue it with diligence. We must work to cultivate peace if we desire to see it flourish in our families, communities, nations, and especially within our own selves. In today s Gospel reading, we see how this truth is manifested in the fig tree. Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it (Lk 13:8). It was surrounded by the untilled and unproductive soil, much like those who withhold forgiveness are surrounded by unrest, anxiety, and spiritual inactivity. We feel worthless in such a state, and as such we risk being unproductive, unhealthy, and ultimately destroyed. However, the good farmer, here representing God, provides us with hope. He tills our soil and fertilizes our souls with mercy. His forgiveness gives us another chance for spiritual survival, but only if we are able to bear good fruit as a result. Our good fruit, then, is the mercy we show to others, which leads us to being known as the true sons and daughters of the God of peace. For Reflection Has God tilled the landscape of your soul so that it can bear fruit abundantly? Have you helped him weed out the vices that keep your soul from thriving as it should? Have you helped others by tending to their spiritual growth in service to them?

6 Nancy Bauer / Shutterstock.com The saints are like the stars. In his providence Christ conceals them in a hidden place that they may not shine before others when they might wish to do so. Yet they are always ready to exchange the quiet of contemplation for the works of mercy as soon as they perceive in their heart the invitation of Christ. ~ ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA Prayer and work Benedict was a man of silence and constant reflection. He was also a man who knew how to work! He helped form the Benedictines, a Catholic religious order whose motto is ora et labora ( pray and work). Benedict knew that in order to show God how much he loved him, he would need to work diligently in both his prayer life as well as through manual labor. He understood St. Paul s words that we must pray without ceasing (1 Thes 5:17) and work quietly (2 Thes 3:12). Indeed, St. Benedict was given God s reward of mercy for having persevered in prayer and for acquiring a work ethic that was marked by the spiritual worth of every one of his daily tasks. How to bear GOOD FRUIT Live the corporal works of mercy feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, ransom the captive, bury the dead and the spiritual works of mercy instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, admonish the sinners, bear patiently those who wrong us, forgive offenses, comfort the afflicted, pray for the living and the dead. The more you know One of the best ways to be diligent in our zeal for holiness is to make it fun. Sometime this week, gather your family members and distribute notecards. On each notecard, write down as many quiz questions each person can about the Catholic faith along with the answers. Then, put them all in a box and take turns picking them out and answering them one-by-one until all of the cards have been answered. Called to beatitude but wounded by sin, man stands in need of salvation from God. Divine help comes to him in Christ through the law that guides him and the grace that sustains him (1949). Lord, I have not worked as hard as I should at knowing, loving, and serving you. Please renew me with the zeal, energy, and order I need to pursue you with all of my heart, all of my soul, and all of my mind. I am yours; may I acquire the work ethic needed to achieve eternal life with you in heaven. For print use only. Copyright by Our Sunday Visitor, Inc. Nihil Obstat: Msgr. Michael Heintz, Ph.D. Censor Librorum Imprimatur Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend

7 Lenten Reflections on Mercy and Forgiveness Week 4 READINGS: Joshua 5:9a,10 12; 2 Corinthians 5:17 21; Luke 15:1 3,11 32 We are all prodigal children In today s Gospel, we hear the parable of the prodigal son. This young man toiled in the business of his father, left his comfortable home, and began seeking to fulfill his worldly desires for women, excessive drinking, and other pleasures. When he ran out of money, he came to understand the error of his ways and returned home hoping to take the form of a slave since he had dishonored his father. Little did he know that, upon making this request, his father would have mercy upon him, forgive him for his poor decision, and welcome him into his rightful home. There he worked happily alongside his father in humble admiration for the rest of his days. Such is the will and pleasure of our heavenly Father, who receives us again and again when we come to him asking for forgiveness. We are all prodigal children and undeserving to be called God s sons and daughters. Yet, that is what we are. May we imitate the prodigal son of Jesus parable and return to our Father every time we find ourselves in sin so that we can receive his mercy. Then, we too can work happily alongside Our Lord in humble admiration. Through spiritual For Reflection Your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found (Lk 15:32). endurance in seeking forgiveness we draw closer to Our Lord and discover that we have no reason to ever leave his side. How is your life like that of the prodigal son? Are you as willing to forgive others as the prodigal son s father was to forgive him? What does it mean to have spiritual endurance? Renata Sedmakova / Shutterstock.com

8 To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often. ~ BLESSED JOHN HENRY NEWMAN The Croseris God can defeat sin and helps us fight temptation Theodore Roosevelt was once quoted as saying, Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty. We see this quote manifested every time we see a sports star hoisting a championship trophy above his head; or, much more appropriately, a missionary washing the hands of the poor children she serves breakfast to; or the mother of young children resting her head on a pillow after a long day of care-giving. Indeed, the satisfaction of these individuals during these moments is intense, but so is their pain, their tiredness, and their willingness to continue the work the next day. Such is the way of the determined soul. If those who endure to the end receive prizes in this world, should it not be so for our spirits, too? Our souls were designed to endure the greatest of all trials that of sin and its power over us. For humans it is impossible to defeat sin, but with God s grace we are given the ability to endure temptations and overcome them. St. Peter tells us, Although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Pt 1:6 7). So, go. Endure your spiritual trials so that you can win the unfading crown of glory (1 Pt 5:4) that awaits you. Working constantly to serve Margaret of Hungary knew how to endure the difficulties of living a truly Catholic lifestyle. She was born a princess, the daughter of the king of Hungary. She was blessed with all the comforts that come with royalty, but in her zeal for souls she felt called to do more with her life. She joined a convent and became a poor nun working constantly to serve the needs of the poor and sick of her kingdom. She fasted continuously and served tirelessly; she was called to the heavenly kingdom at the tender age of 29. Having spent every last ounce of her earthly energy toward doing God s will, she took her eternal crown of royalty as the princess of the one, true King of all creation. Fasting TIPS To have spiritual endurance means to get back up again even after you have failed. If you have failed in your fasting at any time during this Lenten season, that is okay. Don t beat yourself up about it. Rather, get back up again, dust yourself off, and proceed with renewed promise. Jesus, my savior, you endured the hate of your own people, the suffering in the garden, the scourging at the pillar, the crowning of thorns, the carrying of the cross, crucifixion, and death. Allow me to endure all of life s difficulties, small or grave, and unite them with your merciful passion. In doing so, may I be made worthy of the promise of your resurrection. For print use only. Copyright by Our Sunday Visitor, Inc. Nihil Obstat: Msgr. Michael Heintz, Ph.D. Censor Librorum Imprimatur Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend

9 Lenten Reflections on Mercy and Forgiveness Week 5 READINGS: Isaiah 43:16 21; Philippians 3:8 14; John 8:1 11 Freedom Studio / Shutterstock.com We are not alone Today s Gospel calls to mind the power of community. The woman caught in the act of adultery was persecuted by the mob, thus representing the negative side of communal power. Then, Jesus incites his brilliant gift of reason into the angry mob, and, just like that, they disappear. None remain except the one sinner and her savior, the most powerful community of good that one can attain. In Christ, we form part of the union of his greater community known as the Communion of Saints. In this group we find great holy members of the Faith like Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her (Jn 8:7). St. Thérèse and St. John of the Cross as well as lesser-known inhabitants of the heavenly homeland such as deceased family members. Furthermore, this community includes us, the Church Militant, who strive for holiness as we make it through our earthly journey. The Gospel reminds us that in our times of most need Jesus is present. Not only is he present, but so are the rest of his children, those whom we call saints. May we never forget that such a powerful community for good is constantly in our corner. We need only to call upon them for help. Memories that last forever The unity of families is the bedrock of society. Without the fusion of our family bonds, it is harder to learn how to love, serve, and appreciate the loving care of others. This week, do something special to show your family that they are loved. Write them a letter, take them out to eat, or escape on a family fun night. Do something out of the ordinary and create a memory that will last forever. For Reflection How often do you call on God for spiritual guidance? Which saint do you most often ask for intercession? With whom do you share your spiritual joys and fears?

10 The saints have always been the source and origin of renewal in the most difficult moments in the Church s history. ~ ST. JOHN PAUL II The interior penance of the Christian can be expressed in many and various ways. Scripture and the Fathers insist above all on three forms, fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, which express conversion in relation to oneself, to God, and to others (1434). Fasting TIPS If you are traveling in the spiritual desert solo, your efforts alone might not be enough to withstand temptations to break your fasting. Find an accountability partner to help motivate you and you them to conquer temptations. The road to salvation is best walked with the company of those we love. We are one body in Christ Jesus tells us that he is the vine and we are the branches (Jn 15:5). If we are not connected to him, we cannot produce good fruit. Indeed, without Jesus, we have no life within us. The same goes for relationships. When we are closely connected to one another, the good fruits of joy, charity, and peace thrive. However, when we are angry with one another, we only reap division, injustice, and loneliness. That is why the gift of forgiveness is so important. From God, we are forgiven of our sins and thus reconnected to his glorious power. When we forgive others their offenses, we repair his earthly body and make it stronger. We are one body in Christ, and it would be wise to maintain it as the unified body it was designed to be. Blessed Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, you are love. In your communion we see, experience, and understand love. Help me to be for others the same source of joy and mercy that you and your Communion of Saints are to me. For print use only. Copyright by Our Sunday Visitor, Inc. Nihil Obstat: Msgr. Michael Heintz, Ph.D. Censor Librorum Imprimatur Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend

11 Lenten Reflections on Mercy and Forgiveness Week 6 READINGS: Isaiah 50:4 7; Philippians 2:6 11; Luke 22:14 23:56 Christ s sacrifice allows us to find meaning in suffering The Passion of Christ is the pinnacle of all human suffering gathered together in one man, Jesus of Nazareth. He believed you were worth it. He believed everyone, even those who seem farthest away from him, to be worth dying for. It is through the Cross that we all come to understand God s mercy. In the Crucifixion, the greatest sacrifice the world has ever known takes place. On that tree, God s only Son shows us that the path toward salvation requires his saving power, his unending gift of forgiveness. God desires mercy so much that he was willing to die to prove to us its worth. In dying he destroyed death, and in rising again he restored us to life. Without this act of ultimate sacrifice, our own sufferings would have no purpose. But because of his pain, we are able to find meaning in our sufferings. We partake in the mystery of suffering by uniting our trials and tears to Jesus. He suffers alongside us in times of need and never ceases to call us through difficult times to a closer communion with him. In his mercy, we are given hope that one day our darkness will become light Father, into your hands I commend my spirit (Lk 23:46). and our sorrows will become eternal joy. We need only to accept our crosses and follow him (see Mt 16:24). For Reflection What crosses are you given to bear during this time in your life? How can these crosses help you become holier? What does the passion and death of Jesus teach you about the importance of your suffering?

12 Our suffering can purify our souls By embracing in his human heart the Father s love for men, Jesus loved them to the end, for greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. In suffering and death his humanity became the free and perfect instrument of his divine love which desires the salvation of men (609). One of the great deposits of spiritual power in our world comes through what is known as redemptive suffering. We believe as Catholics that our pain and sorrow can be used as a means of spiritual nourishment. When we take on the hardships of life, either voluntarily or involuntarily, we are able to offer them up for the betterment of ourselves and others. In doing so, we do as St. Paul tells us: Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church (Col 1:24). This begs the question, Was there something lacking in Jesus perfect sacrifice on the cross? Of course not! But the effects of sin still remain in our world, much like a house in need of a good cleaning. Redemptive suffering, then, provides us with the ability to clean up the mess by purifying our souls and aiding in the sufferings of others. We thus work together with God and unite our pain to the cross, where it is nailed, put to death, and poured out into the world in the form of healing, understanding, and hopefulness. The great denial was forgiven Peter was one of Jesus closest followers. He was one of the first called by Jesus and stood by Jesus at almost every moment of his public ministry. However, when it came time for Jesus passion and death, Peter denied his master and was too ashamed, or afraid, to see his Lord die at the Crucifixion. After Jesus rose from the dead, one of his first tasks was to assure Peter that his sins were forgiven and that he would lead the rest of the apostles after Jesus ascension into heaven. St. Peter committed one of the worst sins a person can commit when he denied the man who he knew to be the Son of God. However, his repentance was pure and his sorrow was genuine. When he was forgiven by Jesus, his sadness and anguish were like coals turned into diamonds of an unshakable faith and an unquenchable thirst for souls. God s mercy has a way of changing the very fabric of who we are. May he fashion our souls into the great saints we were meant to be. Mount Calvary is the academy of love. ~ ST. FRANCIS DE SALES O my Jesus, who suffered and died for my sins, I pray that you might grant me the gift of your forgiveness. Allow me to share in your suffering so that I may die to my sins and share fully in your risen life with you and all the saints. I am yours. Amen. Attila JANDI / Shutterstock.com For print use only. Copyright by Our Sunday Visitor, Inc. Nihil Obstat: Msgr. Michael Heintz, Ph.D. Censor Librorum Imprimatur Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend