9th March 2014 - What does Lent mean to you? - 1st Sunday of Lent (Year A)

On this weeks programme John and Anne are joined by Geraldine Creighton to continue our reflections on the "joyful season of Lent". We have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel as well as some liturgical odds and ends.
 
You can listen to this weeks programme HERE.
 
What does Lent mean to you?
 

 
On this weeks programme John and Geraldine reflect on the meaning of Lent. The season is a reminder about our relationship with God and with others but if you ask people it is often more of a personal focus. Geraldine reminds us in her reflection that Lent is called a joyful season not so much a deeper continuation of the austerity that we are living through at the moment. It is a recollection that Jesus breaks through the dullness which we imprison ourselves in during our daily lives. Lent is a time to renew a blessing of thanks for the small things in our lives; we need to press the refresh our view of our life and our experience of God in our lives and in other people.

Lent is not undetaken alone; we journey through Lent together praying, fasting and trying to get to know our neighbours through the wilderness of life. Our focus should be not on the giving up but rather that at the end of Lent we have come to a better relationship with God.

John outlines the Lenten message given by Bishop Leahy at the beginning of Lent.
 

 Bishop Leahy urges Lenten sacrifice in support of those gripped by alcohol, drugs, gambling and pornography.

... “Far too many people’s lives in Limerick, like every other part of this country, are today devastated by slavery to the likes of alcohol, drugs, gambling and pornography. While we must have compassion for people involved and recognise that much can stem from difficult personal circumstances and disadvantage, it is important nevertheless to name these issues and tackle them,” said Bishop Leahy.

... “Our Lenten commitment does not only have to be about giving up something we will miss but don’t need. It can simply be about giving; whether that is more of our time to people affected by additions or to their family members in supporting them through a very difficult situation, to volunteerism or by simply donating money towards worthy causes. It can be also be by giving more of our time to offering up prayers for them.”

You can listen to Geraldine's reflection excerpted from the programme HERE.

Last year we did a blog series asking people what Lent means to them which you can read HERE.
 
Gospel - Matthew 4:1-11
 

 
"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And he fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But he answered, "It is written, `Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" Then the devil took him to the holy city, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, `He will give his angels charge of you,' and `On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, `You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'" Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them; and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Begone, Satan! for it is written, `You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'" Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and ministered to him".

Reflections on this weeks gospel:
 
Word on Fire
Sunday Reflections
English Dominicans
Centre for Liturgy
 
Liturgical odds and ends
 
Liturgy of the Hours - psalter week 1 - 1st week of Lent
 
Saints of the Week
 
During Lent all memorials of saints, whether obligatory or optional, are deemed "commemorations" and their celebration is more limited than in other times. In all cases, their celebration is optional even for memorials that would be obligatory outside of Lent. You can find out more about the liturgical norms here.
 
March 10th - St. John Ogilvie
March 11th - St Aengus
March 12th - St Maximilan
March 13th - Blessed Peter II of La Cava
Anniversary of the election of Pope Francis as Supreme Pastor of the Church.
March 14th - Blessed Thomas Vives
March 15th - St. Louise de Marillac