Real Presence - Lent 2023

1^st Sunday of Lent:  On this 1^st Sunday of Lent, we encounter Christ as he is tempted in the desert – tempted by hunger, control, and to forsake his identity for power. The Eucharist ‘preserves, increases, and renews the life of grace received at Baptism” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1392).

How does participating at the Eucharistic Table keep me rooted in Christ and his call to me?

• Pray: Connect yourself with the liturgy throughout the week. Spend 10-15 minutes with the daily Mass readings. (Find them at https://bible.usccb.org/readings/calendar)
• Fast: from the noise of the world. Spend less time on social media or watching TV.
• Give: The temptation for power and control continues to rage in our world, particularly amidst the suffering of the Ukrainian people. Consider sacrificing something this week and giving that money to an organization that is assisting the Ukrainian people. (Catholic Relief Services).

2^nd Sunday of Lent:  On this 2^nd Sunday of Lent, we encounter Jesus and the disciples on a high mountain where Jesus is transfigured before them. Despite the glory of the moment, Christ calls the disciples down from the mountain and back into the real world. So too, our weekly gathering around the Table of the World and Table of the Eucharist is meant to change us and strengthen us to be Christ in the world.

How do I prepare myself for liturgy in a way that opens me to this Transfiguration encounter with Christ?

• Pray: Spend some time this week praying over the readings for next Sunday as a way of preparing to encounter Christ’s word more fully at Mass this week.
• Fast: from food waste. As Pope Francis has taught “Both the loss and the waste of food are truly deplorable events because they divide humanity between those who have too much and those who lack the essentials.”
• Give: Consider a gift of money or food to your local food bank.

3^rd Sunday of Lent:  On this 3^rd Sunday of Lent, we encounter the Woman at the Well who encounters Jesus at an unexpected time and place – at the well in the middle of the day, when people would typically seek refuge from the hottest part of the day. Through a dialogue with Jesus, she eventually comes to faith and goes forth to draw others into that same encounter with Christ.

How are we living our call to be Eucharistic people who by our deeds and words become living water that refreshes and brings life to the world?

• Pray: Today we begin our celebration of the Scrutinies, which are special rites of preparation and purification for the Elect, those who have been journeying through the RCIA and RCIC. They will enter the Church at Easter. Join us in praying for them as they enter this intense preparation period.
• Fast: from wasting excess water. (“Four billion people - almost two-thirds of the world's population – experience severe water scarcity for at least one month each year” (UNICEF).
• Give: Give of your time. Is there someone in your life who could use a phone call or a visit?

4^th Sunday of Lent:  On this 4^th Sunday of Lent, we meet the Man Born Blind, whose eyes are opened by Christ. Christ also opens our eyes if we allow him. Do we see everyone with the eyes of Christ? Someone once said to look at the people gathered at Mass as the walking wounded. Picture everyone at Mass with bandages and crutches. They have them. Can you see them?

Do we make ourselves present to Christ when we approach the Table of the Lord? Do we allow Christ to open our eyes more fully to his presence within and around us, especially in those people, places, and situations where we would rather not look for Christ?

• Pray: Consider attending the Parish Covenant night this Tuesday to pray the Stations of the Cross.
• Fast: from judgment and gossip. See others as God sees them.
• Give: Do you have old pairs of eyeglasses laying around at home? Consider donating them to an organization like the Lions Club. Container for collecting glasses are at each of our Church building this 4th weekend of Lent.

5^th Sunday of Lent:  On this 5^th Sunday of Lent, we meet Lazarus, the friend of Jesus who has died and who Jesus raised from the dead. Jesus reveals himself as the Resurrection and the Life. “In the earthly liturgy we take part in a foretaste of that heavenly liturgy which is celebrated in the holy city of Jerusalem toward which we journey as pilgrims” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 8).

What place does the resurrection take in your faith journey?

• Pray: Attend our Parish Lenten Reconciliation service this Wednesday at 7PM (SMM).
• Fast: from a ‘treat.’ Give up coffee, dessert, etc. one day this week.
• Give: Give of your time by calling or visiting someone who is grieving.

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord:  After these weeks of our Lenten journey, we have arrived with Christ in Jerusalem, ready to walk with him these sacred days of his dying and rising – the Paschal Mystery.  This is the same mystery that is made present to us at every Mass in the Eucharist. As Fr. Ron Rolheiser writes: “Scripture says, “We ARE the Body of Christ on earth” We are not a replacement for Jesus’ body…We ARE his body, and, as such, are meant to do all the things he did, including the forgiveness of sins and the binding of each other, through love, to the family of God.”

Do I realize the immensity of the gift of the Eucharist and the responsibility entrusted to me to become Christ’s very Body in the world?

• Pray: Join us for the Triduum liturgies of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil – the most sacred days of the year. See this bulletin for the schedule. Come to experience the depth of Christ’s love for us and recommit yourself to your Baptismal call.
• Fast: If you can, consider sharing in the Paschal Fast. “If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the "paschal fast" to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily his Resurrection” (USCCB).
• Give: Consider a gift to the Good Friday collection to support the work of the Church in the Holy Land.