On Zoom
the Lord should show Himself to us in His mercy.
The purpose of Lent is not only expiation, to satisfy the divine justice,
but above all is a preparation to rejoice in His love.
Fear narrows the little entrance of our heart.
It shrinks our capacity to love. It freezes up our power to give ourselves.
If we were terrified of God as inexorable judge, we would not confidently
await His mercy, or approach Him trustfully in prayer.
Our peace and our joy in Lent are a guarantee of grace.
Each week we will read and reflect together from the Psalms, the writings of Thomas Merton and other contemplative voices. We will enter into contemplative reflection and dialogue on eight Lenten themes:
February 19: Week of Ash Wednesday: Where Do We Turn for Forgiveness?
February 26: First Week of Lent: Living More Deeply in Christ
March 5: Second Week of Lent: A Season for Compunction and Tears
March 12: Third Week of Lent: In All Things, Always Seeking God
March 19: Fourth Week of Lent: Choosing with Christ to Love the World
March 26: Fifth Week of Lent: In the Service of Peace through Humility and Prayer
April 2: Holy Week: Returning to the Source of Our Unity in Christ
April 9: Easter. No meeting.
April 16: The Resurrection of the Lord: Liberated to Redeem the World
(Orthodox Easter)
Source book: Jonathan Montaldo & Robert G. Toth, eds., Lent and Holy Week, bridges to contemplative living with Thomas Merton (Ave Maria Press, Inc., 2009). Price from Ave Maria Press, $5.95 https://www.avemariapress.com/products/Lent-and-Holy-Week. Also available from Amazon, recommended by the publisher for possibly speedier delivery, and other book online sources. Purchase of the book is not necessary to participate, as the texts will be shared each week.
Sign up by email to Michele, mbjCONW@comcast.net, by Friday, February 17, and the Zoom link will be sent to you in advance each week. The number of participants is limited to allow time for faith sharing.
