March 27

“You don’t know how to pray? Put yourself in the presence of God,
and as soon as you have said, ‘Lord, I don’t know how to pray!’
you can be sure you’ve already begun.”

-Saint Josemaría Escrivá

 

Today’s Reflection

Lent is a great time to pick up the practice of Eucharistic adoration, where we can put ourselves in the Real Presence of Jesus. He desires us to spend time with Him. He expressed His disappointment when the disciples could not stay awake with Him and His words ring true for us, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour?”

Will you spend an hour with Jesus this week as part of your Lenten offering?

March 26

“Lent is a time of going very deeply into ourselves…
What is it that stands between us and God? Between us and our brothers and sisters? Between us and life, the life of the Spirit? Whatever it is,
let us relentlessly tear it out, without a moment’s hesitation.”

-Catherine Doherty

 

Today’s Reflection

Lent is a time for deep reflection. Take time today to pray and ponder through Catherine Doherty’s questions above and journal your insights.

“The angel Gabriel was sent from God

to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,

to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,

of the house of David,

and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And coming to her, he said,

‘Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.’

But she was greatly troubled at what was said

and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Then the angel said to her,

‘Do not be afraid, Mary,

for you have found favor with God.

Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,

and you shall name him Jesus.

He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,

and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,

and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,

and of his Kingdom there will be no end.’

But Mary said to the angel,

‘How can this be,

since I have no relations with a man?’

And the angel said to her in reply,

‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

Therefore the child to be born

will be called holy, the Son of God.

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,

has also conceived a son in her old age,

and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;

for nothing will be impossible for God.’

Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.

May it be done to me according to your word.’

Then the angel departed from her.”

-Luke 1:26-38

Lent is a time of humility. A time when we listen more closely for the voice of God. A time when we seek to live more completely His will in our lives. Our Blessed Mother has much to teach is in this regard. She is the perfect example of receptivity, trust, and surrender. Her “fiat” or “yes” was complete and eternal. Ponder today’s Gospel reading and ask Our Lady to show you the areas where you haven’t yet given your fiat. Beg the Holy Spirit for the grace to do so.