In this week's episode, we begin our seven week Lenten study of the book “A Time of Renewal” by Mother Mary Francis P.C.C. In this episode we cover the introduction and the sections on the first four days of Lent. We discuss how Lent is an opportunity for us to grow in intimacy with God and how viewing fasting as a time of renewal, not suffering, can help us encounter a deeper transformation. We also reflect on our ability to help others grow in holiness, why Lent is the Springtime of the liturgical year, and how we can allow ourselves to bloom this Lenten season.

Heather’s One Thing - Aspire to Live a Quiet Life by Francis Chan

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - the women at the Trini-tea fundraiser (pictures here)

Michelle’s One Thing - ABBA by Johnathan Helser and the people of Louisiana

Journal Questions:

• Take inventory of your heart: where are you? Where do I need to reflower?
• What areas of my life does the Lord want to prune?
• Am I approaching this Lent like “just another Lent”? How can I accept this Lent as a unique season and invitation from the Lord?
• What practices put me back in the gaze of the Father? How can I incorporate them into my Lenten plan?

Discussion Questions:

• Which fruits in my life are good fruits? Which fruits are bad fruits?
• How can you be more conscious of your responsibility for one another’s holiness?
• Whose growth in holiness is God inviting you to be conscious of? Who can you offer your Lenten prayers and fasts up for?
• How close are you to the Lord today?

Quotes to Ponder:

“I hope we will not allow ourselves to think of it as “just another Lent”. There is a very deep sense in which there is not another Lent and then another and another after that. This Lent is unlike any other. It is this acceptable time. We do not know if there will be another Lent for us, but we do know God has brought us to this acceptable time, to this prolonged day of salvation.” (Mother Mary Francis P.C.C. A Time of Renewal. Kindle Edition. Page 19)

Scripture for Lectio:

“Is not this the fast that I chose: to loose the bonds of wickedness and to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6)

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