Father's Reflection 2.4.24

With the first reading this Sunday, perhaps we can relate in some degree to Job’s description of how he feels about his life: “drudgery…misery and troubled nights…restlessness…without hope.” A pretty bleak picture, indeed! But that is really how we feel sometimes.

As the days are slowly getting warmer, we draw nearer to the promise of spring and Easter through the season of Lent that begins on Valentine’s day. As the Gospel this Sunday shows us, Jesus wants to break through any darkness that we have in our life and bring in the warm sunlight of His love into our hearts.

Here are some opportunities to give God the space to pour His love into your life in a concrete way…

1. My usual recommendations (the “Big 3”):
-15-30 min. of daily silent prayer…Use the free copies of “Word Among Us” that we have available at the back of church!
-as much as possible incorporating Mass attendance into the rest of the week on top of the obligation of Saturday night/Sunday
-making it to confession monthly

2. For those of you that are married (for any amount of time), consider coming to our couples healing retreat next Saturday, the 10th, at Sacred Heart from 9am to 2:30pm. 
There is no better investment you can make with your time than giving it to prayer and your marriage! Please register online or let Annie Deters know you are coming asap so that we can plan accordingly!

3. The physical healing service we will have at Sacred Heart on Friday, March 15 from 7-10pm.
Whether you or someone you care about needs healing, it will be a powerful experience of God’s love breaking through our main obstacles to happiness! Join us for a night that will increase your faith!

4. Aside from the normal the Sundays of Lent and Easter, consider diving more deeply into the liturgies of Holy Week which are the most important and beautiful of the year. I would recommend adjusting your work schedule if possible to attend 
Good Friday service at 3pm on March 29th at Sacred Heart
Holy Thursday at 7pm on March 28th at 7pm
Easter Vigil at St. James at 8pm on Saturday, March 30th

The more time and attention we give to Jesus, the more we are set free from our fears, anxieties, and the heaviness that can easily fill our life.

Come, Lord Jesus! Be my Light in darkness!

Rejoice in hope,