Lent begins today. It is a great season of grace. We typically begin with many resolutions and plans for this holy season. And when it is all over, we may be disappointed with our efforts. Did we fail yet again?
While increased fasting, prayer and almsgiving are very important, there is something more important. Most of all, God wants my love and my self-gift.
It is likely I will not live up to my ascetical plans for this Lent. But I begin this holy season by surrendering myself to God and God’s will. That will be enough.
Thank you Msgr. Stephen for allowing me to offer up myself and my actions to be shaped as the Lord sees fit. Such a wonderful approach to the holy season. Asking for your prayers for my husband Scoop. He had started having back pains in December and yesterday was seized with such bad back pain, he had to head to the ER. He will get an MRI today and have a surgical consult tomorrow. So hard since I am in Italy and trying to decide the next right step. God will guide me. I do believe, help my unbelief! Amen.
As someone who has been dealing with lower back pain for years now, my heart goes out to Scoop. May his medical team determine the root cause of his back pain and provide him with the best care and treatment possible. Amen.
Praying for your husband’s back pain to be cared for by God’s providence and healing ✝️ The last time my husband had back pain and went to the ER, he had kidney stone!!!
Placing you and Scoop in my prayers this evening, Jane. May The Holy Spirit guide you in this.
Good afternoon L.F.F., I hope All are doing well today. Jane, I am Praying for your husband Scoop, that the Medical staff can find out what is going on with Him and treat accordingly, in Jesus' Almighty and Powerful Name, Amen. I am also Praying that we receive Ashes today (if possible) and start our Lenten Journey, getting closer to God. Much love and respect, Sunshine.
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those in need. Come to the side of those experiencing violence in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, and the Sudan. Please hear the pleas of all those suffering around the world - and give them strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
AMEN!!
AMEN!
Amen!
Amen.
What does God want from me personally this Lent? *** Not this in Joel 2:13a, “Don’t just tear your clothes to show how sad you are!” *** But this in Joel 2:13b, “Let your hearts be broken. Return to the Lord your God!” *** Because of Who God is in Joel 2:13c, “He is gracious. He is tender and kind. He is slow to get angry. He is full of love. He won’t bring His judgment. He won’t destroy you!” ******* My prayer to start my Lent in Psalm 51:4-5, 10, 15-17, “You are the One I’ve really sinned against. I’ve done what is evil in Your sight. So You are right when You sentence me. You are fair when You judge me. I know I’ve been a sinner ever since I was born. I’ve been a sinner ever since my mother became pregnant with me… God, create a pure heart in me. Give me a new spirit that is faithful to you… Lord, open my lips so that I can speak. Then my mouth will praise You. You don’t take delight in sacrifice. If You did, I would bring it. You don’t take pleasure in burnt offerings. The greatest sacrifice You want is a broken spirit. God, You will gladly accept a heartthat is broken because of sadness over sin!” Amen ✝️ *** The bad news, “I am not a sinner because I sin, I sin because I am a sinner!” *** The Good News of Jesus Christ in Romans 3:23-24, “Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God’s glory. The free gift of God’s grace makes us right with Him. Christ Jesus paid the price to set us free!” *** Not what I did, do or will do but what Jesus did, does and will do in Ephesians 2:8-10, “God’s grace has saved you because of your faith in Christ. Your Salvation doesn’t come from anything you do. It is God’s gift. It is not based on anything you have done. No one can brag about earning it. We are God’s creation. He created us to belong to Christ Jesus. Now we can do good works. Long ago God prepared these works for us to do!” ******* Who Am I by Casting Crown https://youtu.be/mBcqria2wmg?si=DB4cdpUlmpASidLG
Amen...Praise be to God for the start of another blessed Lenten season
Thank you for a new spin on this Lenten devotion, Msgr. Rossetti. Rather than trying to make oft-times unattainable goals and resolutions I will add this prayer to my nightly list. Praying for all those in need of prayers this morning.
Living Faith provides brief daily Catholic devotions based on one of the Mass readings of the day. Published new each quarter, these reflections are written by women and men from a variety of backgrounds - lay people as well as clergy and religious. Learn more.
Receive a free reflection for Sundays every week via email
About Living Faith Living Faith Foundation Ambassador Privacy Policy F.A.Q. Contact Us
© 2025 Creative Communications for the Parish, a division of Bayard, lnc. All Rights Reserved.
Keeping your husband Scoop and you in my prayers Jane. I hope his back pain can be alleviated perhaps with an injection or PT rather than surgical intervention. May the Lord guide the hands of his medical team and may his pain subside.