In prayer, we stand, with both hands raised to heaven asking for what we could never provide for ourselves.

In this mid-point of the First Week of Lent, it might be good to pause and ask what have we changed in our lives—or, better yet, what has changed about us—since Ash Wednesday?

As we offer back to “Our Father” the words that we have received from the One who is himself the Word Incarnate, we can have confidence that God hears us and desires to bless us as we continue along our pilgrim way.

The Readings for Monday of the First Week of Lent invite us to recognize that our faith must be lived in a way that not only brings us into right relationship with others, but which also becomes a blessing for them.

The Season of Lent reminds us that holiness is really only possible for us if we enter into the struggle, remembering that whatever darkness we may encounter will not overtake us.

It is Jesus, the “Face of the Father’s Mercy”, who offers renewal and reconciliation to those who are willing to acknowledge our need for forgiveness and mercy.

Our Lenten fasting and abstinence should be helping us to focus less on ourselves and to become more attuned to those around us

The liturgy for the Thursday after Ash Wednesday reminds us that the Season of Lent is a season of decision

Lent is a season when faith and the virtues of the Christian life grow and flower within our hearts and souls.

Jesus’ desire for his followers is to help make the Reign of God a reality in the world by combatting evil and injustice responsibly and courageously because God’s Reign demands that we live lives of love and compassion.

Blessed James Miller was a De La Salle Christian Brother from the United States who was martyred in Guatemala in 1982

Choosing the good means to seek out how we can best serve God and care for those around us through the little sacrifices of our attentiveness, intentionality, kindness, and love.

The liturgy this Sunday is reminding us that we don’t have to be afraid of the dark any longer. If we have love — and live that love — then the light of Christ that we carry within us will drive away the darkness of fear and sadness.

While the blessings of the Beatitudes transport us to the fullness of life in the Reign of God, the qualities of discipleship outlined in the blessings are very much concerned with how we live our lives in this present moment.

Saint Paul's conversion with Christ on the road to Damascus became the primary point of reference for all his ministry.

The invitation for us this Sunday is to reflect on how Jesus was at work in unexpected ways in his public ministry of healing and forgiving.

Each Christian has the special task of helping proclaim how God is at work in the world today to help people recognize how Christ is still offering the God’s mercy and love.