Resources for "the joyful season" of Lent 2019

Awake my soul, awake lyre and harp, I will awake the dawn!

The words of the psalmist call us to celebrate the joyful season of Lent. 

It is generally viewed penitential season which is true, but it is also a season of hope as we reflect on the great mercy of God. It seems appropriate that here in the northern hemisphere, Lent always falls during Spring with the promise of new life which echoes the liturgical season as we prepare for the Passion, Death but ultimately the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Like the way the season of Winter death gives way to the new life of Spring, we are called to die to our old selves and embrace the newness of life in Gods mercy. 

As we begin thinking about our preparations for Lent, may I suggest that we do not start with what we are going to give up? That puts the emphasis on us and often leads to confusion, e.g. fasting is not dieting, however much we would like our abandonment of some particular food to do good to our waistline! No, I think we have to start with the marginality of the desert, the place where Christ struggled with the demons and where we must learn to alter our focus. Before we even begin to think about what we shall give up, therefore, let us pray for our eyes to be opened to what needs to be changed in our lives and ask God’s help to do what is necessary. Lent is God’s gift to us. Let us use it as he intends.

Read full reflection - On the Edge of the World

• Trocaire's Lent 2019 page
• World Missions Ireland - Lent & Easter 2019
• Churches together in Britain & Ireland - Lent course 2019
• Creighton University Online Ministries - Praying Lent
• Ignatian Spirituality -  Getting Ready for Lent 2019
• CAFOD -  Lent resources for young people
• The Church of England's 2019 Lent and Easter campaigns
• Pathways to God - Walking together with Jesus: Lent Retreat 2019

Lenten Resources from the blog in prior years HERE.

We will be adding to this post over the next while.

UPDATES:

• iBenedictine posts about Lent