Ash Wednesday: February 17, 2010

LENT REFLECTION SERIES: Intro | Ash Wednesday | Feb. 21 | Feb. 28 | Mar. 7 | Mar. 14 | Mar. 21

Lent Reflection Series
  • Ash Wednesday
    First Reading: Joel 2:12-18
  • Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17
  • Second Reading: Second Corinthians 5:20-6:2
  • Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

  • Sit quietly. Breathe deeply. Listen closely. Look intently. Pray honestly.

  • Allow the question to enter your heart and mind:
    What Spirit stirs and Word speaks in “rend your heart” this day?

  • Be for a few moments. If you “feel” the Spirit or “hear” a Word…respond.

  • Contemplative Prayer: Allow these phrases (or ones of your choosing), from the Sunday Scripture readings, to be within you. Engage your imagination. Be with your God.

  • Gospel: “Go to your inner room…” Reflect. Pray.
  • Second Reading: “Be reconciled to God…” Reflect. Pray.
  • First Reading: “Return to me with all your heart…” Reflect. Pray.

  • Is there a thread? Strings? A frayed edge?

  • Do these phrases inform, enrich, distract or stretch your reflection on the question:
    What Spirit stirs and Word speaks in “rend your heart” this day?Record your reflections.

  • Psalm Response: Be merciful, God, for I have sinned.
    (This phrase could be recited each day of the week.)

  • This week I will be attentive to ...

  • And the action(s) I will take as a result of my prayer is