Dear Friends,
This weekend we have a beautiful opportunity to live out our faith - wonderful practice for Lent - seeking out the Lord’s forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
GK Chesterton, when asked why he became a Catholic, replied ‘To get my sins forgiven!” It is one thing to ask God to forgive you and hope that he does. It is quite another to confess to the priest, hear the words of absolution, and know that you are forgiven. Your sins have been separated from you. One of my favorite images comes from Isaiah: “Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they may become white as wool.” (Isa 1:18).
Our word this week is Practice: practice prayer and the sacraments. This phrasing implies we can grow and improve. We can learn how to pray and worship better. Sometimes teens and even adults will share with me that their minds wander at Mass or at prayer and they feel bad, like they are not paying attention. In this moment, which is quite common, be very gentle with yourself and simply refocus your attention. Although from the outside, prayer may look just like sitting there, it does require our whole effort to focus and maintain our attention. Some of the great simple prayers are called “breath prayers” (p. 183) - like “Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!” And these simple phrases can help our focus. Practice makes perfect!
Peace,
FJW
QUOTES
“You don’t know how to pray? Put yourself in the presence of God and say, ‘Lord, I don’t know how to pray!” and you have already begun.”
- St. Josemaria Escriva (p. 168)
“The worst moment for an atheist is when he is really thankful and realizes he has no one to thank.”
- GK Chesterton (p. 186)
“A humble soul does not trust in itself, but places all its confidence in God.”
- St. Faustina (p. 192)
“The desire of your heart is itself your prayer.”
- St. Augustine (p. 202)
Chapter 4 Reflection Questions:
1) “How do you define prayer?” (p. 173)
2) What is a struggle you are currently facing? What might God want to grow in your character through this struggle? (p. 191)
3) “What can you specifically pray for today?” (p. 196)
4) “When in your day can you cultivate silence so that you can hear from God?” (p. 201)
