40 Days of Lent Journey to Easter: A Daily Gospel Devotional with Spiritual Reflections and Meditations and Prayers for the Lenten Seasons

By Catholic Common Prayers

This 40 Days of Lent Journey to Easter: A Daily Gospel Devotional with
Spiritual Reflections and Meditations and Prayers for the Lenten Seasons

involues practical spirituality, daily scripture readings, and simple Lessons to learn from the saints , wisdom nuggets and little action steps and challenges to do to assist you in this 40 days of spiritual journey of renewal, reflection and preparation towards easter.

During the season of Lent, As Catholics and Christians we need to frequently give up something that we enjoy especially bad habits as a measure of penance or self-discipline, this book offers you a practical, scripture-Based advice on how to drop those bad habits beyond lent and easter and find peace in Christ.
From Ash Wednesday to the last day of Lent, this book guides you to ponder a scripture passage with a topic to meditate and reflect on and lessons and actions to apply to your own life through the following four simple steps:
Read the anchor scriptures for the day 

Reflect on the lessons of the topic of the day .

Respond,ponder and resolve to implement it in your life

Pray the psalm and other prayers as the Holy Spirit directs you .
As you continue to meditate on the daily scriptures and practice the above simple action steps , it will help to strengthen your relationship with God and brings you closer than ever with God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Catholic Common Prayers
• Release date: Nov 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9785305652543

Book preview

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Practical Prayer guide and actions to take

What to give up During this Lent

DAY 1

ASH WEDNESDAY AND LENT

DAY 2

THE CHALLENGE OF CHRISTIAN LOVE

THEOLOGY OF SUFFERING

DAY 4

WHAT REALLY MATTERS

DAY 5

ON THE ALERT

DAY 6

THE FIRE OF JESUS

DAY 7

TITANIC EGO COMPLEX

DAY 8

THE POWER OF FAITH

DAY 9

ANY REASONS TO BE GRATEFUL

DAY 10

DON’T GIVE UP ON GOD

DAY 11

GOOD AND BAD SINNERS

DAY 12

JESUS COMES TO YOUR HOUSE

DAY 13

JESUS DIVINE MANDATE

DAY 14

THE BODY AND BLOOD FOR LIFE

DAY 15

THE PRICE OF HEAVEN

DAY 16

THE MATERNAL LOVE OF CHRIST

DAY 17

BE THE NEIGHBOR

DAY 18

THE PRAYER OF JESUS

DAY 19

THIRSTING FOR GLORY

DAY 20

OUR SHOE OF LIMITATION

DAY 21

THE PRODIGAL US

DAY 22

THE BEAUTY OF ANOTHER CHANCE

DAY 23

DISCIPLESHIP IS NOT A JOKE

ANCHOR SCRIPTURES

DAY 24

DON’T GIVE UP ON YOURSELF

DAY 25

THE REAL BREAD THAT MATTERS

DAY 26

ONLY JESUS CAN SATISFY OUR DEEPEST LONGINGS

DAY 27

WHO ELSE BUT JESUS

DAY 28

EPHPHATHA FOR ALL

DAY 29

THE PARADOX OF CROSS

DAY 30

THE PATH TO TRUE GREATNESS

DAY 31

EQUAL DIGINITY FOR ALL

DAY 32

ON WORD, WORSHIP AND OBEDIENCE

DAY 33

PEACE IS NOT ABSENCE OF WAR

DAY 34

THE COST OF A BLIND EYE

DAY 35

TRUST NOT IN RICHES

DAY 36

NO LOBBYING IN THE KINGDOM

DAY 37

LEAVING OUR CLOAKS BEHIND

DAY 38

JESUS DIVINE MANDATE

DAY 39

LOVING GOD IN OUR NEIGHBOR

DAY 40

JESUS COMES TO YOUR HOUSE

FINAL REFLECTION

DOING WHATEVER JESUS TELL US

INTRODUCTION

The season of Lent prepares us for Easter, the greatest feast in the Liturgical Year. The first Christian communities organized all their celebrations around the main feast of Easter. Slowly, over the years, it was felt that the celebration of Easter had to be organized in a very special manner, by setting aside a few days of prayer and fasting as an immediate preparation for such an important feast. It was at the Easter Vigil that the catechumens received the sacraments of Christian Initiation, and the Christian community joined them during those days of preparation. Eventually the time of preparation was prolonged until it reached the symbolic 40 days, recalling the 40 days in the desert of Jesus. Both catechumens and baptized Christians were invited to live this time of spiritual renewal. For the catechumens it was a way of preparing for baptism, while for the others it was an opportunity to recommit themselves to life in Christ. Later the so-called penitents were invited to make the most of this time of Lent in order to repent of their grave sins and to seek reconciliation with God and with the Church.

Today, Lent prepares the catechumens for the celebration of tb Paschal Mystery by the various stages of Christian Initiation culminating at the Easter Vigil. Lent also prepares the faithful, who are already baptized, by leading them to a deeper

understanding of baptismal identity and by doing penance.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday with the imposition of ashes ends on Holy Thursday afternoon. On Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion, we begin Holy Week which ends with the celebration of the Easter Triduum, the crowning of the whole season of Lent and the core of our Christian faith.

Our Inner attitudes in This Season

Our listening to the Word of God leads us to

develop some inner attitudes during the season of Lent.

The first attitude is that of becoming aware of our Christian dignity

This is done by rediscovering the centrality of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation in our life. Through these sacraments (Baptist Confirmation and the Eucharist) we are given a new identity. Through Baptism and Confirmation, we are made beloved sons and daughters of the Father and are conformed to the image of Christ thanks to action of the Holy Spirit in us. This gift of new life, renewed and strengthened through the Eucharist, makes us members of God's family and unites us to the Triune God and one another in communion love. On account of our weakness in living such a reality, we are invited to enter into a journey of penance that will lead us to reconciliation and forgiveness. This becomes a journey of 'exodus' as we move from our selfishness to the freedom of the children of God, and experience the joy of being forgiven and renewed through the gift of

God's mercy. The personal and/or communitarian celebration of the sacrament of Reconciliation, as well as non-sacramental Penitential services, are highly recommended as a fitting manner of preparing ourselves for Easter.

The Lenten journey is marked in a special way by the three traditional' dimensions of Lent, namely: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through prayer we make room for God in our life and we express our desire to enter into a deeper friendship with the Lord. It is important for us to set aside some time for prayer and to be faithful to our prayer plan. Through fasting, which can take various forms, we deny ourselves something in order to share it with others, especially with those who are in need. At the same time, we can give more space to God in our life, remembering that we cannot live on bread alone, but that we also need the spiritual food of God's Word. Prayer and fasting must lead us to reexamine our relationships with others. We are challenged to embody the attitudes of Christ himself, who spent time in prayer and fasting. This communion with his Father led him to build loving and compassionate relationships with others. The third dimension, almsgiving, leads us to share with others what we have received from the Lord in a spirit of solidarity and communion.

The Crucified Christ

The season of Lent gives us the opportunity to contemplate Jesus, our proto-ancestor, who died in order to give us life. The self-giving of Jesus, portrayed in a powerful manner on the cross, is at the center of our reflection and attention. The cross

becomes the symbol of the depth of Christ's love for us and his desire that we should receive the gift of his divine life. The veneration to the crucified Christ finds a beautiful expression in the Stations of the Cross and in the reading of the accounts of the Passion. Both devotions can be organized on Fridays of Lent when we remember in a special way the passion and death of the Lord. At the same time, the contemplation of the crucified Christ throws light on our own experience of suffering and gives it proper meaning. Our sufferings and the sufferings of the whole world are seen as a continuation of the passion of Jesus and as a way in which we are associated to the mystery of salvation and life. All this will also lead us to be more sensitive to the sufferings of others and to reach out to them.

Practical Prayer guide and actions to take

Do a serious act of contrition and repentance of your sins before or during these 40 days of Lenten Journey, in order to be at peace with God. The Word of God says in I John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness'.

Also, -make peace with whomever that has offended you or you have offended. Matthew 6:14 says, For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you

Endeavour to live a holy life during and after this period. Make holiness your watch word.

Be charitable, visit the less privileged, motherless babies, prisoners and the sick.

Render selfless services to God and support church projects.

Spread the Gospel of God anywhere you find yourself through your words, actions and your lifestyle.

After this 40 day of prayer, believe that God has answered your prayers. God assured us in Numbers 14:28 that He will do to us whatever He hears us say.

Equip yourself with the word of God by reading your Bible daily. This will keep you in tune spiritually.

Never you go back to your past life. Continue

to live like a true son/daughter of the Most High.

What to give up During this Lent

What to give up for Lent....

Give up

complaining      focus on gratitude.

Give up

pessimism      become

an optimist.

Give up harsh

judgments      think kindly

thoughts.

Give up worry      trust Divine Providence.

Give up discouragement      be

full of hope.

Give up bitterness       turn to forgiveness.

Give up hatred       return good for evil.

Give up negativism      be positive.

Give up anger……..be more patient.

Give up

pettiness      become mature.

Give up gloom       enjoy the beauty that is all around you.

Give up jealousy       pray for trust.

Give up gossiping      control your tongue.

Give up sin      turn to virtue.

Give up giving up      hang

in there!

DAY 1

ASH WEDNESDAY AND LENT

ANCHOR SCRIPTURES

Joel 2:12-18, 2Corinthians 5:20 -,6:2, Mathew 6: 1-6,16 -18

Lent is a time of penance and prayer leading up to the Holy Week and Easter ceremonies. It goes from Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday (excluding the Sundays). This period of forty days of prayer, almsgiving and fasting reminds us of the forty days that Jesus spent in the desert after his baptism, where he was tempted by the devil. By overcoming the devil in the desert, our Lord shows us how to avoid sin and live a truly Christian life. Lent is a time to try to make up for our mistakes and strive for growth in holiness. As the beginning of Lent, Ash Wednesday is a special day of prayer and fasting. On this day, we receive ashes on our foreheads as a sign of sorrow and repentance. In ancient times, the people of Israel put ashes on their faces whenever something terrible happened. The ash is a reminder that we are sinners in need of God’s grace. Another thing we do on Ash Wednesday and all through Lent is fasting and while only those between the ages of 18 and 60 are required to fast, anyone over the age of 14 is required to abstain from meat and meat products on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting means having only one full meal and two smaller ones during the day.

What about the children? What can they do during

Lent? The children can and should pray. We need to teach them to pray every day for their parents, siblings and friends, for God to bless them. They should be reminded to pray for their schools and the teachers. They should ask God for help to not be disobedient or mean towards their siblings or friends. On our own, we all should pray for the Church and the whole world. We should pray also for the people in the countries at war and other places where children cannot go to school because there are no schools or because it is not safe to do so. We should pray for people in places like Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Nigeria where there is war and terrorism. Let us not forget to pray for all the places devastated by drought and famine, where many people have no food to eat. On a personal level, we can choose to give up something during Lent as a sign of mortification and in solidarity with those who do not have enough. We could decide to give up sugar or soft drinks or alcohol. We could choose to abstain from ice cream or cakes. We could choose to limit our access to social media or television during this time. But, most importantly, we must fast from sin and anything that brings division and disharmony – gossips, impatience, mean-heartedness, discrimination, etc.

Then, we need to learn some good habits too, like making sure to pray before and after every meal; like being more punctual at work and carrying out our duties more conscientiously. The children should be taught the value of doing their homework on time, and of helping mum and dad at home by doing the dishes or keeping their rooms in order. Just as an athlete becomes stronger through practice, we too will become stronger in the spirit as we practice the good things we have decided to do during Lent. The Church strongly encourages us to take a greater

and more fruitful share in the Lenten liturgy and penitential services. We are particularly to approach the Sacrament of Penance during Lent. By receiving the ashes today, we embark on a journey of spiritual purification. This sign expresses the human condition as affected by sin. In this sign we outwardly profess our guilt before God and thereby, trusting in his kindness and compassion, express our desire for inward conversion.

Let us pray today for the grace to be able to say yes to God this Lenten season, and no to those things that draw us away from his loving presence. Let us also pray for our nation and for the leaders; that they may govern with a sense of justice and fairness, to ensure peace and prosperity for all.

May the Father of mercies grant us all a holy, fruitful and joyful Lenten Season. Amen.

REVELATIONAL PRAYER PSALM 51

Be merciful to me, O God, because of your constant love. Because of your great mercy, wipe away my sins. Wash away all my evil and make me clean from my sin! I recognize my faults; I am always conscious of my sins. I have sinned against you — only against you — and done what you consider evil. Sincerity and truth are what you require; fill my mind with your wisdom. Remove my sin and I will be clean; Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness; and though you have crushed me and broken me, I will be happy once again. Close your eyes to my sins and wipe out all my evil. Create a pure heart in me, O God, and put a new and loyal spirit in me. Do not banish me from your presence; do not take your Holy Spirit away from

me. Give me again the joy that comes from your salvation and make me willing to obey you.

Then I will teach sinners your commands, and