First Sunday in Lent

THE COUPLE THAT PRAYS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday Februsay 26th 2023

Christ, our new beginning

“We do not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” That’s a difficult sentence for us to really listen to today in our consumer society. Lent is a time to reflect on it and to find freedom through it. The question for Lent is not “what am I going to give up” but rather “in what ways am I imprisoned so that I am not totally free to love God with my whole heart and my neighbour as myself.” Then we can look at what we need to give up – or take up. In the marriage relationship it may be to give up some particular interest that is not essential in order to have more time for each other. In family life it may be to give up criticism in order to make room for praise and thanksgiving. And in parish life it may be to give up leaving everything to others and getting involved in some aspect of how we can develop the vitality of our faith community.

Morning Prayer, when together

Father, through our observance of Lent,

help us to understand the meaning of love

revealed through your Son’s death and resurrection

and teach us to reflect it in our lives.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

During the day, when apart

Lord, make us worthy of your gift of love in our lives.

May our decisions to love each other this week

help to change our lives.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Evening/Night Prayer together

Father, you increase our faith and hope and you deepen our love constantly.

Help us to live by your words and to seek Christ

through our love for one another in our marriage.

We make our prayer through Christ our Lord.

Questions for Action for the week

For your marriage: How could you recall and renew

the start of your love relationship this week?

For others: Think of some group that is helping people to recover from alcoholism.

How could you help them this week?