Use this oppotunity to go on pilgrimage. I know that we all can’t just hop on a jet and see the world or pray around the world, but we can visit some places that inspire us to be more prayerful and draw us closer to G-d.
Lourdes is one of those places.
Use this photo collage to meditate on your Lenten experience. Draw or photograph your own inspirational photo to carry with you on your Lenten journey. I chose to put together five selections to represent the natural world, which is where I draw upon much of my spiritual inspirations. Whether or not I’m physically in the natural world, I can easily find it in my phone or kindle’s camera as well as in a variety places on the internet. Use what’s available to you to find your way and pray.
All of these photos were taken in Northern Ireland. (c)2018
Journaling
I’m always one to recommend a journal. This is the second year that I’ve kept a Lenten journal. Each week, I will introduce a prompt for you to journal on.
Think about Jonah in today’s readings. What have you been asked to do that you’re first answer was nope, not gonna do it? And then you relented.
This is pretty much the story of any project I have taken on, so I can absolutely relate.
Journals. (c)2018
Meditation
Read today’s readings. I’ve provided them below the cut from the USCCB website. You can go there (or to your Bible/Lectionary source) for the responsorial psalm.
What are they saying to you?
How do they relate to your “real” life?
Meditate, which is just a fancy word for think about or reflect on how the readings make your feel and how you can be more mindful of G-d. Continue reading
Words of Wisdom
The last four days were the precursor; the dipping your toe in the water before jumping in the rest of the way. Starting with today, now, we’re really into it.
What are your intentions?
What are you hoping to receive from this Lent?
(c)2018
Lev 19:1-2, 11-18
Psalm 19
Matt 25:31-46
[These can be accessed through the USCCB website. They can even be emailed to you.]
A twisty, turny path, bridge over a stream to what? [Glenarrif, Northern Ireland] (c)2018
There are a few things that I do to get ready for Lent to begin. One of them is enjoying what my church provides. As my priest said during his homily, the heart is to keep in our pockets and remember that Jesus loves us. I often have some kind of talisman that I can rub or twirl with my fingers, like the now-popular fidget cubes to remind me of the season or help me to focus on what my intentions are. I also love this series of booklets. This is the third one I’ve had from Liturgical Press, and it is short enough to read every day without fail as well as giving me the ability to form my own reflections with the wisdom of the author but not an overpowering do it this way.
It is a lovely combination and balance.
Booklet and Heart provided by my church for Lent. (c)2018
The Weekly Prayer Project – this is a book that my husband got me for Christmas. I’ve only just started reading it this morning. It’s divided into seven sections, and can be used in order or jumped from one to the other. My intention is to read the week’s pages on a Wednesday, and then contemplate what it’s asking me to journal. I will probably do the journaling before the weekend, and then read what i’ve written in the days before the next Wednesday. I have decided that I will read from each section for seven weeks, and then go back to the first. For example, today I read week 1. Next Wednesday (1/10) I’ll read week 8. On 1/17, I’ll read week 15, and so on. On 2/21, I’ll go back to week 2, and begin the format again.
365 Days to Happiness – These are nice, short blurbs offering suggestions to finding happiness. They are little things to do or not to do. Again, as I keep coming back to this week, choose what works for you. When I skimmed through the first couple of pages, I read on Day 2 to fill in your planner. I laughed because I do that literally at midnight on the first. When yesterday arrived, and I actually read day 2, I discovered that in addition to filliing in my calendar, there was a surprise suggestion that I thought was wonderful, and so I did that yesterday. My point is, even the most mundane, seemingly routine thing can surprise you.
Grace by Max Lucado – another daily prayer book with prayers for both the morning and the evening. The version I have has room for a few lines of journaling. I have such a hard time writing in books that I usually just read this one. It is still filled with inspiration and time for mindfulness.
The Word Among Us – this is a worship aid that my church gives out every month. It lists all the daily prayers, and has a few articles for the cover topic that are usually very interesting. I have had a digital subscription for about three years now, and I enjoy it very much. Since I would take the paper copy from my church, I thought this was a way to go paperless.
Give Us This Day – Similar to The Word Among Us. This has a daily reflection as well as a daily introduction to a person of faith. There is also an app that can be used to read your subscription. I’m trying out the first thirty days free for this month to see how it fits into my other meditations.
The Writer – This is my professional go-to, and the only writing magazine that I subscribe to. Like the planner below, it has taken me years to figure out what works, and this magazine is the most comprehensive, covering every writing topic imaginable and of use.
Mead Day Planner – this link take you directly to Mead’s website. The photo is similar to the planner that I have and have been using for a couple of years now. I got mine at Target. I use the monthly for whatever needs to be on my calendar, and I use the weekly for writing and blog planning. It’s taken me years to figure out this system and discover that it works for me.
[Editor’s Note: When I’m including links, I usually will use Amazon, mainly because I use them for most of my online shopping. I receive no compensation from them. That is true of all recommendations unless otherwise stated.]
Choose.
We can be lazy. Or we can be motivated.
We can lead. Or we can follow.
We can be visible. Or we can hide.
We can create. Or we can destroy.
We can do. Or we can watch.
We can cry. Or we can laugh.
We can be everything. Or we can be nothing.
Whatever it is, whatever’s at stake, whatever it takes, we must choose.
Choose to be compliant. Or defiant.
Choose to believe lies. Or facts.
Choose to lie down. Or rise up.
Choose to be cruel. Or kind.
Choose to wait. Or begin.
There could be so much good in this year, so much returned, so much shared, so much recovered, if only we choose it.
I’m still looking for my mantra, but my word for 2018 is CHOOSE.
Create, build, write, do, be, rise, lead, vote…CHOOSE.
Griffins and Ginger Snaps 