Living Lent
For the weeks of lent that we still have to live, here are three ideas to make them more fruitful:
– Every time I am tempted to grab my cell phone to call someone, I will ask myself, “Is it really necessary?” If I can avoid this call, I will replace it with a short prayer calling for the blessing of God upon that person and the entire world. Decide to never judge.
– I will make the sign of the Cross over me – the right way – as Mary taught it to St. Bernadette in Lourdes, during the first apparition on February 11, 1858. On that day Bernadette just could not make the sign of the Cross. Then, Our Lady made, in front her her, a VERY wide and slow movement from the forehead to the belly button across the chest from left to right. From that day on, Bernadette made the sign of the Cross over herself with great reverence and piety.
Actually, by this sign, we invoke God three times holy. The exchange of love between the three persons of the Trinity begins working within us. The sign of the Cross well made, with the heart, has the power of exorcism! It reminds the enemy how and by whom he has been defeated forever: Jesus on the Cross. One of my assistants was converted just by making the sign of the Cross one day. In one moment, she believed in God and started changing her life. For her, it was like an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
– Every day, at home, read some verses from the Bible, especially the text of the daily Mass, even if you went to daily Mass. Pick up one word that strikes you the most, repeat it, chew on it, ponder it, be nurtured by it throughout the day. Then share it with your family or friends or neighbors, helping others to learn from the Word of God, which is light unto our steps.
Sister Emmanuel