Lenten Journey 2020 Day 34 of 40

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Saturday, March 28 – Lenten Journey 2020 Day 34 of 40
 
Amidst the Lenten Journey are occasions to reflect on those who have traveled before us. Today the Armenian Church commemorates St. Gregory the Illuminator’s imprisonment (289-301 AD) in a place we now refer to as “Khorvirab.” Stories such as this are wrapped in their historical parameters. Their value is that they talk to us – to each generation in its own times. Today as a world, we are imprisoned by the effects of a pandemic which takes us into a pit of despair, hopelessness and even death. The story of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s 13 year imprisonment teaches the value of discipline, prayer and hope in the Lord – the same ingredients to overcome our own and collective prisons. Jesus instructs that certain evils can “Only be overcome by prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:29)

 

Lenten Journey 2020 Day 33 of 40

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Friday, March 27 – Lenten Journey 2020 Day 33 of 40
 
Day 33 of the Journey signals a change in perception. We come to realize that change has come from within – it is called “transformation.” In this process the goal remains unaltered, but we have changed. Peace and harmony with our sisters, brothers, wives, husbands, children, parents, neighbors and yes, with the world are in our spiritual cross-hairs and we know that we are now the instruments by which change comes. This has been a process – a journey – and while we’re nearing the end of it, we realize that we are outfitting ourselves with the tools for life.  “To all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13)

 

Lenten Journey 2020 Day 32 of 40

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Thursday, March 26 – Lenten Journey 2020 Day 32 of 40
 
In the quiet solitude of our prayer space we listen for God to speak to us. Do not be afraid to open all of your senses to God. As the Lenten Journey moves forward we build on the lessons of the days passed. The laughter of a young child, the delicate pedals of a flower shining against the sun, the midst of the ocean wave spraying our skin, or the sight of stars spread over the sky are all signs from God. As scripture reminds us that “Though we speak much we cannot reach the end, and the sum of our words is ‘He is the all.’” (Sirach 43:27) Look, feels, smell, taste and hear God around you.

 

Lenten Journey 2020 Day 31 of 40

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Wednesday, March 25 –
 
Prayer is a conversation with God. There are different ways of conversing. For instance, a discourse is a one-way conversation intended to deliver information. A diatribe is the same but delivered with emotion. Debate is a two-way conversation with a goal of winning an argument or convincing another on your position. But a dialogue is a two-way conversation which builds a relationship because the parties are listening as much as speaking. What type of conversation are you having with God? Are you building a relationship with Him? To do so, talk and listen.

 

Lenten Journey 2020 Day 30 of 40

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Tuesday, March 24 – Lenten Journey 2020 Day 30 of 40
 
Praying should come as natural as does a conversation with a parent, a loved one or a friend. Be open and sincere. In the solitude of your prayer space, worries can be dropped and the warmth and comfort of love can be absorbed. The Apostle writes, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7)

 

Lenten Journey 2020 Day 29 of 40

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Monday, March 23 – Lenten Journey 2020 Day 29 of 40
 
On this week guided by the parable of the Unjust Judge (Luke 18:1-8) we are invited to pray without discouragement. Prayer is a personal activity. It requires quiet time and space. Jesus instructs us, “…Whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret…” (Matthew 6:6) In that solitude open yourself to God’s blessings. There is nothing to hide in this space. A conversation with God implies speaking, sharing and listening.

Lenten Journey 2020 Day 28 of 40

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Sunday, March 22 – Lenten Journey 2020 Day 28 of 40
 
On the importance of prayer in life, Jesus offers the parable of the Unjust Judge (Luke 18:1-8), a story for which this Sunday of Lent is named. Here is a man who doesn’t fear God nor respect people, is “worn down” by a poor widow seeking justice and persistently calling on him. St. Luke prefaces this story by saying that Jesus spoke this parable to show that we “must always pray and not be discouraged.” (vs. 1) Prayer is our conversation with God, which at times may seem like a monologue on our part. Instead let us appeal to the simple words that are the starting point of our daily prayer. They are words prescribed by our Lord, “Thy will be done.” (Matthew 6:10)

 

Lenten Journey 2020 Day 26 of 40

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Friday, March 20 – Lenten Journey 2020 Day 26 of 40
 
Checking for false pride is necessary because it is so easy to acquire. Especially when engaged in Lenten practices, it is very easy to confidently boast, “Look at me, I am doing something that others can’t do.” Check to make sure the means are not more important than the goal of our efforts. Lent is about self-improvement, to better our relationships and thereby improve our world. Dietary restrictions, heightened prayer life and sacrificing ourselves and our talents are means by which we understand the essence of life and what is essential for living in harmony with God and our surroundings. Our Lord cautions us, “When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret.” (Matthew 6:3)

 

Lenten Journey 2020 Day 27 of 40

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Saturday, March 21 – Lenten Journey 2020 Day 27 of 40
 
For the duration of its earthly existence the soul of a person inhabits a form called the body. While the Lenten Journey grooms the spirit and the soul, it sometimes takes a physical threat for us to realize the unique relationship between body, mind and soul. Today as a world we are focused on a pandemic virus that threatens the body, the receptacle of the soul. The Apostle St. Paul writes, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” (ICor 6:19) Today, in the midst of global awakening to viral dangers, we are given a golden reminder to groom the spirit and keep the body strong for the work ahead.

 

Lenten Journey 2020 Day 25 of 40

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Thursday, March 19 – Lenten Journey 2020 Day 25 of 40

Giving freely of yourself requires sacrifice.  To raise children, to support a husband or a wife, to deal with aging parents, to offer love and affection to people in need, requires selfless sacrifice. It is the selflessness that defines sacrifice as something valuable. Churches run on the power of volunteers. They get things done because in the volunteer is a spirit of sacrifice, and the ego must be lost.   The Lenten Journey is about suppressing the ego and losing the self. Jesus instructs, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)