Podcasts about during lent

Friendship is not accidental in Jesuit life; it's foundational. Fr. Eric and Fr. Damian reflect on trust, vulnerability and the risk of being known, and how real friendship shapes ministry and discipleship. Grounded in Jesus' own invitation to friendship, this conversation explores how human relationships can quietly mirror divine love. About the show: Two Jesuits Talking is a Catholic podcast hosted by Fr. Eric Immel, SJ, and Fr. Damian Torres-Botello, SJ. Through candid, unscripted conversations, they explore Ignatian spirituality, Catholic life, ministry, culture, prayer and the everyday questions that shape modern faith. This isn't a lecture. It's not a debate show. It's two Jesuit priests talking honestly about what it means to follow Jesus today, with humor, depth and real friendship. Whether you're a practicing Catholic, spiritually curious, returning to the Church, or just interested in authentic conversations about faith, you're welcome here. During Lent, Two Jesuits Talking episodes will appear here on the AMDG feed every Saturday. After Easter, we'll move the show onto its own dedicated feed. You can also watch episodes of the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/societyofjesus Two Jesuits Talking is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. Learn more: jesuitmedialab.org/

Send a textIn this Lent Daily reflection, Ken and Janelle share a sobering story from Catholic tradition about confession, hidden sin, and the danger of deceiving ourselves.A monk known for his holiness dies and is buried by his brothers in the monastery. But soon after his burial, something happens that shocks the entire community and reveals a hidden truth about the soul.This powerful story reminds us of the importance of making a sincere confession and approaching the Sacrament of Reconciliation with humility and honesty.During Lent, the Church calls us to repentance, conversion, and a careful examination of conscience. May this reflection help you prepare your heart to receive God's mercy in confession.Support the showSupport this show and get all future episodes by email atwww.kenandjanelle.com

Brian Russell teaches on Taming the Wilderness Within: Centering Prayer and the Via Negativa. During Lent as well as the rest of the year, embrace practices such as centering prayer as a means of allowing God to do the deep sanctifying work that God desires to do in each of us. The via negative is spiritual growth through subtraction. In this practical and actionable episode, Brian explores the transformational possibilities of the consistent practice of the prayer of silence, i.e., centering prayer. Questions or comments: Brian@brianrussellphd.com  Brian's Newsletter: www.brianrussellphd.com/newsletter   Brian's book: Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God's Presence Can Change Your Life (Paraclete, 2021): https://amzn.to/47Dwdpk   Brian's Other Books: Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3uuWCoQ    (Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9    Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/    Work with Brian: Brian is available for personal coaching in the areas of spiritual growth, missional leadership and biblical/theological training.  Brian is also available for virtual or in person speaking/teaching. He offers workshops and stand alone talks on contemplative spirituality as well as on a variety of books and topics relating to engaging Scripture for a life of mission, community and holiness.  Amazon links are affiliate links. Without affecting the cost on your end, Amazon shares a small royalty with me if you purchase any product after following these links to Amazon. In other words, if you shop regularly on Amazon, you can support my work by clicking on any of the books I linked and then searching for whatever you want to purchase. Thanks for your support.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260311fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Romans 5:1-8 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:1,6,8 The Price of Our Peace Has Already Been Paid! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Do you like peace and quiet? If you have a little brother or sister, or a new baby in the house, you know exactly what I mean. You probably love it when everyone is calm and happy, right? But sometimes it feels impossible. Little siblings whine. Babies cry. And suddenly it seems like peace and quiet will never come back! Jesus promises peace too—but not just quiet in your house. He promises peace with God—and that's even more important. Here's why: God is holy and perfect, and we are not perfect. The Bible says we are enemies of God because of our sins. Normally, enemies try to get peace by fighting until one side wins. But that's not how we get peace with God. Paul explains it like this: “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). “Justified” is a big Bible word that simply means: God says, “You're not guilty!” He says we are not enemies anymore, no matter what wrongs we've done. Think about your siblings for a minute. How do you try to make peace with them? Give them a snack if they're hungry? Give them a toy if they're bored? Let them take a nap if they need it? Sometimes that works. But sometimes it doesn't! They might still cry, still fight, or still be unhappy. Jesus didn't leave peace up to chance. He wanted to guarantee it for us. Paul says: “At just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). Even though we deserved the punishment, Jesus took it for us. He defeated the real enemies: sin, death, and the devil. Because Jesus won, peace with God is now ours—forever! That's why he's called the “Prince of Peace!” Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for giving me peace with God that I couldn't have on my own. Thank you for dying for my sins and defeating sin and death. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children How does it feel when two people aren't getting along? The Bible says that Christ died for the “ungodly.” Who does that include? (Hint: it means everyone!) Questions for Elementary Age Children Why can't anyone earn peace with God on their own? The Bible often says “grace and peace” together. Why do you think that is? Questions for Middle School and Above Can you think of a Bible story that you think does a good job of showing what real peace looks like? (Helps: Jesus calms a storm, Jesus' birth—“peace on earth”, after his resurrection, Jesus greets frightened disciples, “Peace be with you.”) During Lent, we remember that Jesus paid the price for our peace. How does thinking about that help us appreciate Jesus more? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

In this episode of St. Anthony's Tongue we explore three spiritual faces of the Virgin Mary: Mother, Mystic, and Bride.Mary is often spoken about with titles like Queen of Heaven or Mother of God, but the Gospel reveals something deeper. Mary shows us the entire path of the Christian life. First we receive Christ like a mother. Then we carry Him within us like a mystic. And finally we remain faithful to Him like a bride, even when the road leads to the Cross.During Lent the Church walks with Christ toward Calvary. Mary walks that road with Him, and she teaches us how to follow. In this reflection we look at Mary's humanity as a mother, her contemplative heart that “kept all these things and pondered them,” and the bridal fidelity that remained with Christ even at the Cross.Mother. Mystic. Bride.These are not just titles of Mary. They are the movements of the spiritual life that every Christian is invited to enter.If this reflection helps you see Mary or the spiritual life differently, consider subscribing for more episodes exploring Catholic mysticism, the saints, and the strange beauty of the Catholic tradition.Support via Patreon: ⁠www.patreon.com/anthonystongue⁠

Red is the color of blood, of warning, and of sacrifice. It's also the color of the Red Sea, where God's people were delivered from slavery into freedom. Just as Israel passed through water from slavery to freedom, we pass through the blood of Christ from sin to salvation. During Lent, we remember that salvation came at a cost. Red reminds us of the Lamb who was slain, whose blood marks our deliverance. Just as Israel passed through water to freedom, we pass through the cross to life.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20260309ECME.mp3 Listen to Devotion Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” John 4:13-15 Drink From the Well Beet-red cheeks. Forehead hair stuck to a damp brow. Children coming in from a summer afternoon of hard play. Thirsty! Water! Water is on their minds, wet and refreshing. Water can cool the body temperature and fill every organ and cell in their little bodies. Water is a necessary element for life. Water was necessary for the woman at the well. She was there on that hot afternoon to get water for her survival. Red cheeks. Sweaty head. Little did she know, she was going to receive living water necessary for her eternal life. “Living water” is what Jesus offered her. At first, it sounded like a time saver. She would not have to strategically plan her day to be at the well when her nosy neighbors were not. She would not have to heave or huff as she balanced her water jug on the walk home. In fact, she would not have to go at all! One drink and she would be done with this relentless errand! Of course, Jesus was not offering her actual wet water from the well in her town. Jesus was offering himself as her Savior. Her embarrassing string of bad decisions were sins that separated her from God. Jesus was telling her to draw water from him, her Savior from her sin. The picture Jesus created for her told her to, “Listen to me! Be forgiven in me! I am the only one who can quench your thirst for peace in your heart. I constantly provide peace between you and God because when I am in your heart, God will look at you and see what I have done for you! He will see that you are one of my very own, a precious and forgiven spiritual sibling who is no longer thirsty for mercy from any other well because you have mercy in me!” We need Jesus, the living water, too! During Lent, we ponder our sin. We look at Jesus, on his way to the cross, willing to be nailed to that cross for our sins. Those are the sins that would separate us from God. Yet, by faith, we have Jesus, our living water. He satisfies our thirst for mercy by taking those sins into his own hands. When God looks upon believing hearts, he sees Jesus' perfect life and his innocent death on the cross. He sees Jesus' empty grave. There is no more separation. He calls us his own, a precious and forgiven child. Weary sinner, drink from the well of living water that Jesus offers to you. Find mercy and peace in Jesus, your forgiving Savior from sin! Prayer: Thank you for being my Savior from sin. Help me share your word with all around me so that they, too, may drink from the well of living water. Amen! Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s (ECME) Devotions are brought to you by WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Red is the color of blood, of warning, and of sacrifice. It's also the color of the Red Sea, where God's people were delivered from slavery into freedom. Just as Israel passed through water from slavery to freedom, we pass through the blood of Christ from sin to salvation. During Lent, we remember that salvation came at a cost. Red reminds us of the Lamb who was slain, whose blood marks our deliverance. Just as Israel passed through water to freedom, we pass through the cross to life.

Every life has a soundtrack. Fathers Eric and Damian swap stories about the music that formed them, the songs that carried faith, doubt, longing and joy. Along the way, they wrestle with sacred versus secular, passive listening versus real attention, and why music so often becomes prayer before we even realize it. About the show: Two Jesuits Talking is a Catholic podcast hosted by Fr. Eric Immel, SJ, and Fr. Damian Torres-Botello, SJ. Through candid, unscripted conversations, they explore Ignatian spirituality, Catholic life, ministry, culture, prayer and the everyday questions that shape modern faith. This isn't a lecture. It's not a debate show. It's two Jesuit priests talking honestly about what it means to follow Jesus today, with humor, depth and real friendship. Whether you're a practicing Catholic, spiritually curious, returning to the Church, or just interested in authentic conversations about faith, you're welcome here. During Lent, Two Jesuits Talking episodes will appear here on the AMDG feed every Saturday. After Easter, we'll move the show onto its own dedicated feed. You can also watch episodes of the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/societyofjesus Two Jesuits Talking is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. Learn more: https://jesuitmedialab.org/

Friends of the Rosary,During Lent, we prepare ourselves for the central events of Good Friday and Easter Sunday.Because of the sins and disobedience of the human race, Christ, the Son of God in human nature, decided to pay for our redemption with his blood.Through his infinite mercy and love for us, he set us free from the slavery of Satan and of sin.God the Father glorified him with the resurrection.The lesson for humans was clear: if we follow Christ, the new Head of humanity, faithfully in these virtues, joys, and sufferings, we will all be offered a share in an eternal life of glory.The victory of Christ over the power of Satan, proclaimed by the Church, should be ours also. Our strength is His. In our weakness, we are strong. The Lord delights in our effort and grants us the most important thing on earth: His grace!Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play.Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• ⁠March 4, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Feeling hungry? It's march 3rd, Pancake Day ! Which means you have to choose your favourite toppings! Pancake Day is also known as Shrove Tuesday, which marks the day before the start of Lent on the Christian calendar. The date changes every year, as it depends on when Easter falls.    According to Christian tradition, Pancake Day marks the last day of excess allowed before Lent. The following day is Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of 40 days of prayer and fasting. During Lent, practising Christians often give up something as a personal sacrifice to remember the forty days Jesus spent in the desert. Lent ends on Easter Sunday, when Christians celebrate Jesus's resurrection from the dead, after being crucified.  How far back does the celebration of Pancake Day go? Why eating pancakes ? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here : ⁠How can I use the 80/20 method to save money?⁠ ⁠How are social media influencers making money through rage baiting?⁠ ⁠How much money makes you happy?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast : 15/02/2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During Lent, we are invited to confront the reality of sin—not merely as obvious wrongdoing, but as the subtle impulses and lies that distort our trust in God and neighbor. Reflecting on Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, we explore how the enemy works primarily through deception, tempting us to distrust God, test God, or pursue good ends apart from God. Yet where humanity has failed, Jesus remains faithful, resisting temptation through trust in the Father and deep grounding in Scripture.

Deacon Tommy reflects that God's call often disrupts our plans, just as it did for Abraham and the apostles at the Transfiguration, but obedience opens the door to transformation and blessing. During Lent, he invites us to seek quiet time with the Lord, embrace reconciliation, and allow Christ to transfigure our hearts as we return more fully to Him.

Our thoughts are powerful. They can affect our mood, our behaviour and even our physical selves. In this Heartbeat Emma teaches us how God wants us to think. During Lent this week take some time reflect on how you think. 

During Lent we journey with all those around the world who will be baptized at the Easter Vigil. In today's gospel Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be born of water and Spirit. At the font we are a given a new birth as children of God. As God made a covenant with Abraham, in baptism God promises to raise us up with Christ to new life. From worship we are sent forth to proclaim God's love for all the world.

Two Jesuits. Real life. Real faith. Today's episode: Nighttime! There's something about nighttime that loosens the soul. In the quiet, defenses drop, memories surface and prayer shifts. Fr. Eric and Fr. Damian talk honestly about being night owls, about what darkness reveals, and about how surrender often happens when everything else goes still. The night isn't empty, it's inhabited. About the show: Two Jesuits Talking is a Catholic podcast hosted by Fr. Eric Immel, SJ, and Fr. Damian Torres-Botello, SJ. Through candid, unscripted conversations, they explore Ignatian spirituality, Catholic life, ministry, culture, prayer and the everyday questions that shape modern faith. This isn't a lecture. It's not a debate show. It's two Jesuit priests talking honestly about what it means to follow Jesus today, with humor, depth and real friendship. Whether you're a practicing Catholic, spiritually curious, returning to the Church, or just interested in authentic conversations about faith, you're welcome here. During Lent, Two Jesuits Talking episodes will appear here on the AMDG feed every Saturday. After Easter, we'll move the show onto its own dedicated feed. You can also watch episodes of the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/societyofjesus

And, we're off! Thanks, everybody, for giving our renewed Lectionary.pro format a try. Please continue to offer your comments and suggestions. Just like the original Lectionary Lab, we want to be helpful to working preachers. (“Jesus and Nicodemus”, from the Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Discussion page)RCL Readings: • Genesis 12:1–4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1–5, 13–17; John 3:1–17Text Summaries• Genesis 12: 1-4aGod calls Abram to leave home, security, and everything familiar, and to trust a promise he cannot yet see fulfilled. The promise is bigger than Abram's private future: through him, God intends blessing for all families of the earth. Abram's obedience is strikingly simple — “So Abram went” — and that trustful response becomes the model of covenant faith. In Lent, this text frames discipleship as movement: leaving old certainties, walking by promise, and trusting God's future over present control.• Psalm 121This psalm is a confession of trust for travelers, pilgrims, and anyone feeling exposed. Help does not come from the hills themselves, but from the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth. The psalm repeats God's “keeping” care: God watches over going out and coming in, by day and by night, now and forever. Rather than denying danger, it places vulnerability inside God's faithful attention. In a Lenten key, it teaches believers to pray honestly about risk while resting in the God who does not slumber.• Romans 4:1–5, 13–17Paul presents Abraham as the prototype of faith: righteousness comes through trusting God's promise, not through human achievement or law-keeping. If inheritance depended on performance, promise would collapse; instead, it rests on grace so that it can include all who share Abraham's faith. God is described as the One “who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist,” grounding Christian hope in God's creative power. During Lent, this text shifts the center from religious scorekeeping to grace-shaped trust and hope.• John 3:1–17Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night, sincere yet confused, and Jesus tells him that entry into God's kingdom requires birth “from above” — a Spirit-given new beginning, not mere religious competence. Jesus draws on Israel's wilderness story (the lifted serpent) to show that healing and life come through looking in faith to what God provides. The passage climaxes in God's love for the world: the Son is given not to condemn but to save. For Lent, this gospel invites people out of spiritual nighttime into rebirth, faith, and the light of God's saving mercy.Major Themes1. Faith before sight, or perhaps through sight (looking) when our focus is on God2. Promise grounded in grace3. New birth, new life in Christ4. God's keeping care in uncertain journeys5. Salvation as gift, not achievementPreaching ArcThe Call → The Keeper → The Promise → The New Birth1. The Call (Genesis 12): God calls us forward before we have full clarity.2. The Keeper (Psalm 121): We are sustained on the road by God's watchful care.3. The Promise (Romans 4): Righteousness and the future are received by faith, not earned by performance.4. The New Birth (John 3): God doesn't just improve us; God makes us new in Christ.From uncertain beginnings to Spirit-born life, faith walks forward on promise, kept by grace.A Sermon Outline“Called Before We're Ready”Core Claim: God calls us forward by grace, keeps us on the road, and gives new life through Christ.1. Opening: the discomfort of being called into the unknown2. Genesis 12: Abram's yes before clarity3. Psalm 121: God keeps us while we travel4. Romans 4: promise by grace, received by faith5. John 3: new birth is God's work, not self-improvementApplication: one step of trust this weekClosing: we go because God is faithfulOne-sentence takeaway: In Christ, we are called, kept, and made new — so we can take the next faithful step even without full certainty.An Illustration: Does anybody remember the Dunkin' Donuts commercial that featured a bleary-eyed baker rising early every morning, saying, “Time to make the donuts?” Believe it or not, that's a basic illustration of faith in something intangible. A baker starts work at 2:00 a.m. There is no smell of fresh bread yet, no customers, no visible result — just measured ingredients, kneading, waiting, and trust in the process. Hours later, what was unseen becomes nourishment (of a sort) for many.Preaching Bridge: “Faith is often bakery work: done in the dark, trusted before dawn.” (Image from the Upper Room, Discipleship Study Guide)Narrative Lectionary Text: John 13:1-17Text SummaryAt the supper before his passion, Jesus rises, takes a towel, and washes the disciples' feet. Peter resists, then overcorrects, and Jesus teaches that receiving him means accepting this upside-down pattern of love. Jesus, their Lord and Teacher, performs a servant's task and commands them to do likewise. Greatness in his kingdom is expressed through humble, embodied service.Themes Present1. Servant leadership — authority in Jesus is expressed through self-giving care.2. Love made concrete — love is not sentiment; it takes the form of action.3. Receiving before doing — discipleship starts with letting Christ minister to us.4. Humility over status — the gospel dismantles rank-driven identity.5. Imitation of Christ — “as I have done for you” is the shape of Christian community.Preaching ArcIdentity → Humility → Command → Community1. Identity: Jesus knows who he is and where he is going.2. Humility: Secure in that identity, he kneels to wash feet.3. Command: “As I have done for you, you also should do.”4. Community: The church becomes recognizable by practical, mutual, humble love.Because Christ stoops to serve us, we are formed into a people who serve one another.A Sermon Outline“The Towel and the Basin”Core ClaimJesus redefines greatness through humble service, and discipleship means receiving his love and then embodying it toward others.Big MovementStatus → Surrender → Service → WitnessOutline (7–8 min)1. Opening: Our instinct for rank• We naturally measure importance by visibility and control.• Jesus gives a different picture at the table.2. John 13: The shock of the scene• Jesus knows who he is and where he is going.• Precisely from that security, he kneels and washes feet.• True authority is not threatened by service.3. Peter's resistance: Why this feels hard• Peter resists being served.• Discipleship begins with receiving grace, not performing for God.• We cannot give what we refuse to receive.4. “As I have done for you”• Jesus moves from act to command.• Foot washing as pattern: embodied, practical, inconvenient love.5. What this means for a small (or any) congregation• Hidden service is central ministry, not secondary work.• Church health is measured by how we treat one another in ordinary moments.• The towel may look like meals, rides, prayer, repair, listening, forgiveness.Application for the week• Receive: where do I need to let Christ serve and cleanse me?• Serve: one concrete act of humble care.• Repair: one relationship step that lowers pride and raises love.Closing• Jesus is most recognizable when kneeling with a towel.• The church is most faithful when it does the same.One-Sentence TakeawayIn Christ's kingdom, greatness looks like a towel and basin: we receive his love, then kneel to serve.An Illustration: “The CEO with a Mop”A story gets told in leadership circles about a company after a major event: everyone leaves, trash is everywhere, and the cleaning crew is short-handed. One employee comes in early and sees the CEO quietly pushing a mop and picking up cups. No announcement. No photo. No speech. Just service.That moment reshaped the office culture more than any memo did. People said, “If he can do that, none of us are above serving.”John 13 is deeper than leadership technique, but the point lands: Jesus, knowing exactly who he is, takes the towel. Real authority is not threatened by humility.Preaching bridge: In Christ's kingdom, the towel is not beneath us. The towel is how love becomes visible. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lectionarypro.substack.com

During Lent, we follow Jesus to the cross, the fulfillment of God’s first promise of good news in the Garden of Eden for sinful humanity. He is the one who maps and forges the way back into right relationship with himself. Series: Shadows Of Resurrection Speaker: Sean Scribner Scripture: Genesis 3:1-21

Join The Revd Steve Morris, Associate Priest of St Bride's, and St Bride's Choir for this week's reflection in words and music. During Lent, which began this week, we sing the Kyries instead of the Gloria from our weekly mass setting at Choral Eucharist on Sunday mornings. This week's setting in church is the "Messe en l'honneur du Saint-Sacrement Op 130" by the Belgian composer Joseph Jongen. He wrote it in 1945 with a sense of intense relief having just learned that his son had survived internment in Buchenwald. Our reflection opens with St Bride's Choir singing the opening movement. The reading is St Matthew's account of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness by the devil which Steve, one of our associate priests at St Bride's, then reflects on. We close with another description of that time of temptation, "Forty days and forty nights" by George Hunt Smyttan which was first published in 1856. A new episode of this online act of worship is released every Sunday morning. Information about our weekly Sunday services in St Bride's of Choral Eucharist at 11am (www.stbrides.com/worship-music/wo…horal-eucharist/) and Choral Evensong at 5:30pm (www.stbrides.com/worship-music/wo…choral-evensong/) can be found on the website. Find out what's happening at St Bride's at www.stbrides.com/whats-on If you enjoy listening, please leave a comment below or subscribe to our channel. It is great to get your feedback. SUPPORT ST BRIDE'S ================== We are hugely grateful for people's generosity which we wholly rely on to continue our work, maintain our wonderful architectural heritage and support world-class music-making. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so at www.justgiving.com/stbrideschurchfleetstreet

Rooted in their mission to uphold the dignity of every human person, the Sisters of Life witness to the truth that no one is beyond God's love and mercy. During Lent, we are invited to stand at the foot of the Cross and encounter the Lord's loving gaze, even in his suffering. Sr. Cora Caeli and Sr. Magnificat Rose share how they live Lent as religious sisters, reflecting on why the cross is not something to avoid but to embrace—especially as we repent, convert, and cling to Christ throughout these forty days. Get your copy of Witness today, with a foreword by Jonathan Roumie from The Chosen. We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends! Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

666. Kathleen Kass Byrd, part 1, joins us to discuss her book on the history of Natchitoches. "Kathleen M. Byrd's Natchitoches, Louisiana, 1803–1840 is an examination of one French Creole community as it transitioned from a fur-trading and agricultural settlement under the control of Spain to a critical American outpost on the Spanish/American frontier and finally to a commercial hub and jumping-off point for those heading west. Byrd focuses on historic events in the area and the long-term French Creole residents as they adapted to the American presence. She also examines the effect of the arrival of the Americans, with their Indian trading house and Indian agency, on Native groups and considers how members of the enslaved population took advantage of opportunities for escape presented by a new international border. Byrd shows how the arrival of Americans forever changed Natchitoches, transforming it from a sleepy frontier settlement into a regional commercial center and staging point for pioneers heading into Texas" (LSU Pr.). Kathleen M. Byrd (nicknamed Kass) is a distinguished anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian specializing in the history and prehistory of Louisiana, particularly the Natchitoches region. A native of Connecticut, she earned her B.A. from Marquette University, an M.A. from LSU (focusing on coastal subsistence patterns), and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida. She served as Louisiana's state archaeologist for 15 years before joining Northwestern State University (NSU) in Natchitoches in 1994, where she later became director of the School of Social Sciences for 12 years until her retirement. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Rida Johnson Young. Naughty Marietta: A Musical Comedy in Two Acts. PLACE: New Orleans. TIME: About 1780. SCENE: The Place d'Armes. A broad open space with the levee at back. There is a path along this levee bordered on both sides by tall trees, some of which are draped with the gray Southern moss. There is just a glimpse of the Mississippi between these trees. Along the levee from time to time as act progresses, people of various nationalities past. Mexicans, Indians, Spaniards, Negroes, etc. At extreme L. is an arcaded street in which are booths for flower sellers, cake and confectionary ' sailors, etc. Over this arcade are the high latticed windows of dwellings in old Creole style. There is a door at L. into one of these houses. At right is the getaway entrance to the St. Louis Cathedral. Up stage in centre is a large fountain. The top of the fountain is in the form of a large urn. The pedestal leading from the basin to the urn must be large enough for a person to stand up in. The fountain is dry. This week in Louisiana history. February 20, 1811. President Madison signed bill providing for Louisiana'a statehood. This week in New Orleans history. February 20, 2013: FEMA Archaeologists Discover One of the Oldest Native American Artifacts South of Lake Pontchartrain. Release Number: DR-1603/07-989, NEW ORLEANS ' Pottery sherds, animal bones and pieces of clay tobacco pipes are among the items recently discovered by a team of archaeologists under contract to the Federal Emergency Management Agency surveying land near Bayou St. John in New Orleans.  'It was a bit of a surprise to find this,' said FEMA Louisiana Recovery Office Deputy Director of Programs Andre Cadogan, referencing a small, broken pottery fragment. 'We clearly discovered pottery from the late Marksville period, which dates to 300-400 A.D. The pottery was nice, easily dateable, and much earlier than we expected." This week in Louisiana. St. Ann Catholic Church Lenten Fish Fry 3601 Transcontinental Drive Metairie, LA 70006 February 20, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Website: stannchurchandshrine.org Email: office@stannchurchandshrine.org Phone: (504) 455‑7071 Price: Plates typically range from $10'$15, with combo options available. During Lent, many Catholic churches across Louisiana host Friday seafood dinners as both fundraisers and meatless‑Friday observances. St. Ann's annual Fish Fry is one of the most popular in Jefferson Parish: Plate Options: Fried fish, shrimp, or a combo plate, served with fries, coleslaw, and hushpuppies. Dine‑In or Drive‑Thru: Quick service for families on the go, with indoor seating available. Community Atmosphere: Proceeds support parish ministries, school programs, and local outreach. Postcards from Louisiana. Florida Street Blowhards at LSU. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260220fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 6:1-6,16-21 [Jesus said] “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:5-6 Me First! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. “ME FIRST!” Have you ever said that—or thought it? Maybe it was about the first slice of cake, being first in line, or getting a turn with something fun. Sometimes it even happens at school or on the playground. Kids aren't the only ones who think this way. Grown-ups do too—even if they don't say it out loud. Adults like to be noticed, thanked, or chosen first too. That “me first” feeling sneaks into all our hearts sometimes. But Jesus was different. Jesus lived with a “you first” attitude. He didn't think about himself first—he thought about others first. As we enter Lent, we see this clearly. Jesus knows he is going to suffer and die, but he still spends time teaching his disciples. He patiently helps them learn how to serve God with humble hearts. Jesus teaches them something important: Don't do good things just so people notice you. Don't chase things like money, popularity, or being number one. Those things don't save you. What matters most is loving God and trusting him. That's a great lesson—but it's also a hard one. Just like the disciples, we mess this up a lot. We put ourselves first. We get upset when we're not noticed or chosen. When we realize that, we see how much we need Jesus' forgiveness. So we come to God humbly. We don't brag or show off. We pray honestly. And God does something amazing. He forgives us, loves us, and promises us a home in heaven. Not because we earned it—but because Jesus already did the work for us. This is why Ash Wednesday is important. We come together to admit our sins—not to show off, but because our hearts are sorry. We stand with other believers and say, “Yes, we need Jesus.” And then we hear the best words of all: “You are forgiven.” Prayer: Dear God, help us notice when we put ourselves first instead of you or others. Keep us humble. Help us say “I'm sorry” for our sins and trust your forgiveness. Fill our hearts with joy so we can share your love with others and put them first! In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children How does it make you feel when someone says, “Me first!” and won't share or take turns? Jesus puts others first. What is one small way you could put someone else first today—at home, at school, or with a friend? Questions for Elementary Age Children When we say Jesus had a “you first” attitude, what does that tell us about how he treated people? Why do you think God cares more about what's in our hearts than about how things look on the outside? Questions for Middle School and Above Why is it sometimes hard to put others first, even when we know we should? During Lent and on Ash Wednesday, how can saying “I'm sorry” to God help us remember how much we need Jesus? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Here we are on the threshold of another Lenten season! Since the Paschal mystery is the culmination of the Lenten season, we are going to "begin with the end in mind" by exploring this great mystery of our faith and where it might be playing itself out in our own lives.  Relying on Fr. Ron Rolheiser's description in The Holy Longing, Ruth identifies the five movements of the Paschal mystery and the inner dynamics that can help us enter more fully into our own journey of suffering, death, burial, and transformation. This bonus episode is intended to usher you in to the Lenten season with purpose and thoughtfulness. Mentioned in the episode:  The Holy Longing by Ronald Rolheiser   Music Credit: Kingdom Come by Aaron Niequist Returning from Lent Music in Solitude There's still room to join us in our upcoming course, Theology that Shapes the Soul. Many Christian leaders have a well-formed theology of what they believe about God, but far less clarity about a theology of spiritual formation: how those beliefs shape the way we live and lead. Led by Ruth Haley Barton, Theology That Shapes the Soul is a six-week guided experience for leadership groups who want to engage a biblical, theological, and spiritual framework for Christian formation—not merely as abstract ideas, but as truth to be embodied within communities. The course begins on March 4, 2026. Find out more and register here.   We've started a Substack! This will be “a new home for reflection, conversation, and connection with our transforming community.” Our new Substack is called “On the Journey with the Transforming Center,” and it will include thoughtful reflections from Ruth Haley Barton and the Transforming Center team, as well as alumni and friends of the Transforming Center, occasional special video teachings and guided practices, and space to interact with our content and respond with how God is working in your life through the posts. This will also be the new home of all of our podcast patron content! There will be free and paid tiers. We'd love for you to join us over on Substack.   Support the podcast! During Lent we are providing paid Substack supporters guided practices to help them journey through Lent meaningfully. Led by members of our TC alumni community, these practices include a prayer of surrender, a scripture based breath prayer, a practice of holy naming and truth telling before God, a guided meditation of one of the Gospel accounts of Jesus' passion and more. Become a paid member of Substack today to receive these practices and so much more!   The Transforming Center exists to create space for God to strengthen leaders and transform communities. You are invited to join our next Transforming Community:® A Two-year Spiritual Formation Experience for Leaders.  Delivered in nine quarterly retreats, this practice-based learning opportunity is grounded in the conviction that the best thing you bring to leadership is your own transforming self! Learn more and apply HERE.   *this post contains affiliate links

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260218fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Isaiah 59:12-20 The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. Isaiah 59:15b-17 What a Mess In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have your parents ever walked into your room, looked around, and said, “What a mess! Who is going to clean this up?” Uh-oh—that's never a good sign. Maybe toys are everywhere and clothes are on the floor. It's as if everything just exploded! Or think about this: you worked really hard on something—maybe you cleaned your room or finished a school project—and then later it's messy again. That can feel really frustrating. You might think, “Hey! I already fixed this! How did it get messed up again?” God knows what that feels like. God created the world perfectly. When he finished, the Bible says God looked at everything he made and said, “It is very good.” The project was done. No mess at all! But then sin entered the world. Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Their relationship with him was broken. The world itself became broken too—people got sick, argued, and died. This was not how God wanted things to be. The perfect world he loved was now a mess. So God asked the big question: Who is going to clean this up? The Bible says in Isaiah, “He was appalled that there was no one to help . . . so his own arm achieved salvation.” That means God saw that no person could fix the mess of sin. People tried—but failed. Kings made bad choices. Prophets were ignored. God's people kept turning away from him. So God did something amazing. He cleaned up the mess himself. God sent his own Son, Jesus, to rescue the world. On Ash Wednesday, we start the season of Lent. Lent helps us to remember how serious sin is—but also how great Jesus' love is. During Lent, we think about how Jesus suffered, died, and rose again to forgive our sins. Sin made a huge mess—but Jesus didn't walk away from it. He stepped right into it to save us. Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to clean up the mess of sin. Use the season of Lent to remind me how serious sin is, and how much Jesus did for me. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children How do you feel when you clean something up and it gets messy again right away? Jesus fixed the biggest mess—sin. What is one thing you can thank Jesus for today? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why couldn't people fix the sin problem by themselves? What does Lent help us remember about Jesus and what he did for us? Questions for Middle School and Above Why is it important to know that only God—not people—could save us from sin? During Lent, what is one way you can remember Jesus' love in your everyday life (at school, at home, or with friends)? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Father Casey Jones is a priest of the Diocese of Venice, Florida. He currently serves as the pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish and school in Naples, Florida. In Today's Show: Is it wrong to feel that giving up our sufferings isn't enough? Does the Catholic Church charge for annulments? How can pregnant women with morning sickness receive the Eucharist respectfully? During Lent, is it appropriate for the congregation to recite the Apostles' Creed? Why were options for readings created in the Ordinary Form? Do we have to hate ourselves to be humble? What would be the virtuous way to handle a spouse being rude? Why do we call Mary the Mother of God? What is our responsibility towards our guardian angel? Why do people go to confession if they say they are sinless? Can a Novena be completed if a day is missed? If an AI model were to gain full sentience, would we need to treat it differently from how we use other technologies?  Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Patrick wrestles with the rise of foul language in daily life, pulling in emails and thoughtful calls to weigh how movies and workplaces normalize swearing. Practical ideas like media filtering services and scriptural reflections tumble in, stirring lively back-and-forth about raising children and fostering respect. A sudden shift brings up deep questions about biblical history and the nature of God beyond time, all woven together in Patrick’s signature blend of candor and humor. Karen (email) - Is St John Henry Newman the same person as St John Newman? (00:28) Jane (email) - Do people swear more at work nowadays than they did decades ago? (01:37) James (email) - I sometimes hear other Catholics say that swearing is ok. I refer them to Col 3:8. I also tell my children that he who curses lives a cursed life. (11:23) Nicki - On the topic of movies and language, we have a special program that allows us to take out bad language. (13:26) Todd - As a Catholic man, I ignore it when people take God's name in vain. During Lent, I gave up profanity and I had a great change in my life. (22:11) Gale - There is an app called VidAngel that removes cuss words and avoids sex scenes and nudity. (26:39) Nancy - How do we know that the Jews are the Chosen people? Also how do we know that God is out of time and space in relation to Purgatory? (29:11) Patrick shares more bible versus in response to God being outside of time (39:23) Mark - I agree and have trouble with bad language. Can it be good in story telling for adults? Mark Twain used the N word sometimes. (47:45)

  During Lent this year, we are revisiting reflections on the works of a great Catholic mind of the 20th century, Gilbert Keith Chesterton. Fr. Scott is joined by his brother, Fr. Mark Lawler, an internationally recognized expert on the works of G. K. Chesterton. This is Part 5.https://archive.org/download/LetsTalkCatholic/LTC-138RR-Chesterton-in-Lent-Pt5.mp3

John 12: 1-8 This week Melissa Florer-Bixler preaches on Mary anointing Jesus' feet with expensive funerial perfume meant for Lazarus, whom Jesus had recently raised from the dead. Mary knows that Jesus plans to go Jerusalem soon to die, and her offering is a reckless offering of love, not just grief, as she sacrifices in a moment a precious heirloom meant to anoint many generations to come. During Lent we often focus on confessing our weakness, but Mary's story reminds us of the power in confessing our love, without consideration for pride or cost. The perfume would have eventually run out, but her sacrificial recklessness was followed by Jesus' humble washing of the disciples' feet, and after many generations was passed on to us in John's Gospel as an example of the reckless love God intends for us to share with the world.

During Lent, Pastor Will explores the importance of holiness in Christian life. Holiness isn't just taught—it's caught from God, others, and through overcoming temptation. Paul warns that holiness isn't automatic and urges believers to rely on God and community for strength. Stay close to Jesus, commit to faith practices, and be a safety net for others.

  During Lent this year, we will revisit reflections on the works of a great Catholic mind of the 20th century, Gilbert Keith Chesterton. Fr. Scott is joined by his brother, Fr. Mark Lawler, an internationally recognized expert on the works of G. K. Chesterton. This is Part 4.https://archive.org/download/LetsTalkCatholic/LTC-138RR-Chesterton-in-Lent-Pt4.mp3

Year C – Fourth Sunday in Lent – March 30, 2025 Pastor Megan Floyd Luke 15:1-3; 11b-32   Grace and peace to you from God, our Father, and from our Lord, Jesus Christ, whose abundant grace makes our repentance possible. Amen. *** This fellow welcomes sinners and tax collectors… and eats with them. I don't know what these particular sinners did for the Pharisees to label them as such… but the tax collectors worked for the Roman government… they were agents for the Empire… For the average Jewish person, the tax collectors were the people who were actively working against your livelihood and your well-being. They were… not welcome at any decent Jewish person's table… so the fact that this fellow, Jesus, welcomed tax collectors and ate with them is… well… it's pretty offensive. This fellow… Jesus… he sure is a troublemaker… he is always getting the Pharisees grumbling. And so, Jesus responds to their grumbling with a parable that is even more offensive… on so many levels… It has a terrible, manipulative son who demands that his father give him his inheritance as if his father is dead to him… and then squanders all the money on prostitutes and ends up starving, surrounded by pigs… and… he is not sorry about what he did. He is not full of remorse… he does not repent, and then return to his father… What drives him to return home… is that he is hungry, and he thinks he can con his dad into feeding him again. But the hardest thing to admit is that perhaps… the greatest offense in this story… is that the father's grace is so freely and abundantly given. Yes, it is grace… that is most offensive here. *** I confess to you… that I continually find myself identifying with the older brother. I cannot help my instinctual reaction and impulse that there must be some divine consequence for the actions of the younger son… I cannot help but overlay the sin of the younger brother with examples of offensive sin in our modern time… I see in him those who are, today, manipulative and conniving, those who seize power and use it to increase the exploitation of the poor, the marginalized, and the vulnerable. I see in him those who would squander the wealth and prosperity of generations for their own gain… and those who are so blinded by prejudice and a fear of the ‘other' that they are dismantling the work toward equality and equity that others have worked and died for… and I am offended. I am offended at what Jesus' story teaches us about God… that God's arms are open wide and full of love and grace for all… even the unrepentant sinners. Even though I am well-versed in how much God proclaims unconditional love for all. I am still offended… this is my sin. And yet, I so deeply empathize with the hurt the older brother feels when he realizes there is a celebration happening, and he's not part of it. I get angry… I confess this to you… I am offended by this story. Which, of course, means that I am just as much in need of forgiveness and grace as either one of these brothers… So… if you don't mind, I'm going to preach to myself here for a few minutes because I am, clearly, captive to my sin and in need of some good news… *** During Lent, we've been paying close attention to God's urgent call to return… return to the Lord, repent… change your heart… change your mind, and turn your attention back to God and God's love for you. And what this parable today illustrates for us is that… we cannot truly repent until we have received, and accepted, God's grace and love… The younger son… as I said earlier… what drove him back to his father was not remorse… it was hunger. Had he found a meal, he would likely not have gone back. Only when he showed up and realized that his father had never stopped searching for him… never stopped loving him… that his father's arms were open wide and full of mercy and grace… Only then… did this young son's heart soften… only then did the transformative power of genuine repentance go to work on him. Grace is not a reward for our repentance. Grace… makes our repentance possible. …and our repentance itself is a loving gift from God, given to help us heal… given so that we can be made whole. Our repentance, made possible through grace, transforms our inward concern for our own needs and gain… into outward love for others and their well-being. Our ability to humbly come before God and confess that we have strayed from the way Jesus called us to go… to come before God and confess our sin… is only possible… because we have first received… grace. God is not trying to manipulate us into a fake apology or a disingenuous change in behavior… the offer of grace is not coercion… God offers us this grace freely… and in so doing, God is creating the conditions for us to be made new. God will not settle for anything less than a full transformation… a full redemption… a new creation. But… for this to be so… we must hear this good news first… God loves you, God forgives you, and God's arms are open wide, and full of mercy and grace, waiting for you to come home. And once we are home, safe in God's embrace… only then, can we begin to heal from our sin… to be healed and made whole. Bathed in mercy and grace, washed in love, we are made new, and therefore, just as we are a new creation in Christ, we cannot help but look at our neighbors in a new way… We cannot help but see God's love in them, see the dignity and value in all people, even those we have sinned against… in thought, word, or deed …and yes, even those who have sinned against us. We cannot love the world as God so loves the world… until we allow God's grace to heal our hearts… and to confess that we are as much in need of that grace and healing as anyone else. We are as much in need of that grace and healing as the lost and wayward children, the con artists, the scoundrels, those who are collaborating with the Empire, and yes… even the resentful older brothers… …we ALL need God's grace and healing… God's unfair and offensive, extravagant and boundless grace… I need to hear this every day… God loves me… God forgives me… and God's arms are open wide and full of grace. *** I still can't help but empathize with that older brother and the hurt he must have felt when he realized he was not included in the celebration. He was so wound up about who is deserving of his father's love… who is acceptable, who is worthy, who is deserving of mercy… that he refused to go into the celebration. He was so convinced of his own righteousness, and the wrongness of his brother, that he missed the party. I get it. I understand how he could feel this way… and I also understand that he is missing the point. You see, I don't read this celebration as an allegory for eternal life with God… The celebration is a real party, and it's happening now… it is our joyful response to our transformation – the new life and the new creation that comes from true repentance… and for the grace that makes it possible… right here and now… every day. The offensive celebration… is for the healing of a heart that has gone astray! For once, we were lost… and now we are found! The older brother has been with the father all this time… but he, too, has let his heart go astray… he has taken his position in his father's house for granted, and has failed to return, again and again, to his father's embrace of love and grace… he failed to allow that grace to continually renew and re-create his heart. The older brother has fallen captive to his sin, and he made it all about himself… saying to his father… but what have you done for me? But his father… who loves him… who forgives him… says to his son, my arms are open wide for you too, and full of grace, just as they have always been… come, and be made new. Come into my grace… let it go to work on your heart, and be transformed by my love… and then, my child… you, who have been made new, will have no other response but to rejoice. And so, Lord, I pray to you… guide me… guide us… every day… into your transformative embrace, and let us celebrate with you. Amen.

This week's scripture: Psalm 63v1-8 Luke 13v1-9This week, Adam explores the 40 days of Lent as an opportunity to give the Holy Spirit space to awaken us to a possible collision course we may be on in our lives. During Lent, we're reminded our great hope is the mercy of God, but our responsibility is nothing less than following Jesus wherever He leads. 

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-9 God's version of confession and penance is entirely different from the world's understanding of confession and penance. During Lent we have to let go of the anxiety that comes from the long-held cultural myth that confessing can only make things worse. Penance is to accept responsibility and to repair what is broken. Penance means we take out our needle and thread and we stitch up what was torn. Lent is a season of penance, not of punishment. Our God will abundantly pardon, and confession is a beginning. Confession can break forth into penance and repair in a way that is actually better than it was before. It's about getting right with one another and getting right with God. Restoring relationships is at the heart of all of it. God's relationship with God's people. What are acts of penance you can take during Lent to restore relationships with those around you? Note: There was a technical issue with the recording at the beginning of Melissa's sermon, so the first minute or two was cut off.

During Lent, when life feels busy, noisy, and overwhelming, making room for the Lord is more important than ever. In this episode of Ave Explores: Lent with Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN, Oscar Rivera, host of Ave Spotlight, explores how Lent challenges us to embrace vulnerability and authenticity—not just with God, but with others. When we resist the temptation to close ourselves off and instead open our hearts, we create space for real spiritual growth. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on how Lent serves as a training ground for deeper faith and genuine connection. We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends! Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

 During Lent this year, we will re-broadcast reflections on the works of a great Catholic mind of the 20th century, Gilbert Keith Chesterton. Fr. Scott is joined by his brother, Fr. Mark Lawler, an internationally recognized expert on the works of G. K. Chesterton. This is Part 2.https://archive.org/download/LetsTalkCatholic/LTC-138RR-Chesterton-in-Lent-Pt2.mp3

We continue to reflect on Mary as she "mirrors the loftiest sentiments of which the human heart is capable." This episode we unpack "the strength that is capable of bearing the greatest sorrows." During Lent, we are all invited to visit places of suffering in our own hearts and reflect upon them. How do these places make us feel? To what capacity have we invited others into our sorrows? What role do we allow Mary to play in our places of sorrow? Andrea and Lizz were also both drawn to deeper mediation through pieces of artwork and invite you to be aware of what is aiding you in your meditation.The Return from Calvary by Herbert Gustave SchmalzRachel Weeping for Her ChildrenRedemptoris Mater*apologies for Lizz's mic quality, it was not working during the recording but the content was so good we just rolled with itSend us your comments!

During Lent, we embark on a journey of transformation, much like salmon fighting their way upstream to new life. This week, we explore how true giving, prayer, and service require humility and intention—offering ourselves without seeking recognition, engaging with God without distraction, and serving without expectation.

During Lent, we create a space to listen to our longings. Many of us heard scripture passages this last Sunday about wandering in the wilderness this past Sunday, and in today's Psalm we hear about our souls longing for God like a dry land. We often ignore our longings, push past them, resist them. And we might even think that Lent is the time to do just that - to fast from things that are unhealthy for us, or to refrain from things we love maybe a little too much. But if we go further under the surface, we hear our deeper longings: our longing for love. Acceptance. Belonging. Forgiveness. Hope. Healing. Comfort. Strength. So today as you listen to Psalm 63, give yourself that space to listen for that longing deep within, that longing that in the end, only God can truly satisfy. You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for O God, You Are My GodFind our more about our music at www.celticpsalms.comIn the Lenten Psalms and Practices series, there will be a weekly podcast that will come out on Wednesdays throughout Lent. And for paid subscribers, on Fridays, you will receive a short video leading you through a practice each week, as well as an mp3 of the Lenten Psalm.Toward the end of Lent, I will also be offering a Lenten Practices Workshop live on Zoom, and I would love for you to join me. If you'd appreciate a chance to go deeper this Lent with these Psalms and practices, I invite you to be part of this journey with me. Become a paid subscriber for a deeper experience of Lenten Psalms and Practices.Celtic Psalms St. Patrick's Week TourThis week, we're embarking on a St. Patrick's Day Tour, beginning in Belfast and then traveling from the Northeast to Midwest US. These concerts promise to be a healing balm in a hectic and fraught time. Please come, sing with us, and say hello!Tour Details here https://www.celticpsalms.com/events/Follow Kiran's monthly reflections on Bless My FeetPsalms for the Spirit is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit psalmsforthespirit.substack.com/subscribe

Gluttony is not merely about food but about seeking to fill a spiritual void with temporary pleasures. This misplaced dependency challenges us to examine what truly satisfies our souls. The practice of fasting helps combat gluttony by exposing our attachments, increasing our hunger for God, and creating space for Him in our lives. During Lent, we are invited to embrace fasting—not as deprivation, but as a pathway to spiritual growth and deeper dependence on God.

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13 When Jesus is tempted in the desert, Satan offers Jesus power over all of the world, which Satan has been given, if Jesus will just worship Satan. (Luke 4:6) God has handed over the powers of this world to a cosmic being called Satan. We may wonder why God allows this arrangement. The answer seems to be that people wanted it. We want human rulers: kings and presidents, caesars and judges to set up systems of government that assert that power over us. This is actually one of the many catastrophes we learn about in ancient Israel's history. God's people want a king like all the other nations around them. And immediately God tells them what terrible things will come of this, as we read about in 1 Samuel 8:4-22. During Lent we are turning to repentance. Here before God and one another we remember that one way we stray from God is that we look for shortcuts to the kingdom of God. The reign of God can't be forced upon us. It is a covenant built on consent; it can't be mandated. It has to be chosen and nurtured. There are no shortcuts to the kingdom of God, but what we need is already here.

Fr. Walsh reflects on the theme of temptation, contrasting Adam and Eve's failure in the Garden of Eden with Jesus' victory over temptation in the desert. He emphasizes that, in today's world, temptation actively seeks us out, making it essential to cultivate a strong relationship with Christ. During Lent, we are called to acknowledge our sins, seek reconciliation, and find strength in the Eucharist to resist temptation and grow in faith.

Year C – First Sunday in Lent – March 9, 2025 Pastor Megan Floyd Luke 4:1-13 Grace and peace to you from God, our Creator, and from our Lord, Jesus Christ, in whose death and resurrection we share through the gift of Holy Baptism. Amen.   *** What a joyful day!  Today we celebrate Stella who has been adopted into God's family as our sibling in Christ… through the waters of baptism and through God's word… God's holy promise… spoken for us. God's promise to Stella today reminds us that this promise is for us as well… that even though we may find ourselves lost and alone in the wilderness, God's promise to us in our baptism is that God is with us… always…  God promises to meet us in our wilderness, and that through water and word, our sins are drowned each day… and each day we are made new, forgiven, and loved. Through baptism, we share in our Lord's death and resurrection… dying daily to our sin … and rising anew each day, embracing the promise of new life with Christ…  Each day we are reborn, reconciled to God… and freed to worship God and give thanks, and respond to this precious gift by caring for others and boldly loving the world as God so loves the world. Baptism is a precious gift… that draws us into God's grace, and transforms our relationship with God, and with our world. *** How poetic it is, then, that we celebrate Stella's baptism on this day… the first Sunday in Lent. During Lent, we are called to pay special focus to all that draws us away from God, and to be intentional in our thoughts and actions, choosing patterns and habits that will bring us back closer to our Creator. We might fast, as Jesus did in the wilderness, so that each thought of whatever you are avoiding, becomes a reminder to return to the Lord and give thanks. Or we might introduce more intentional prayer and time for meditation on God's faithful presence in our lives.  This can be done alone… or you may choose to lean on the support of others, and come together with our community of Faith here… you could join in our weekly bible study, the Lenten book study, or come on Wednesday nights for our Holden Evening Prayer service. Or we might choose to give more generously to those in need, sharing gifts that we have first received… and in doing so, sharing love for others and celebrating God's boundless love for all. However we choose to observe Lent, the goal is to grow in our relationship to God as we move toward the cross, and ultimately, to new life.  The goal is to interrupt the patterns of sin that tempt us… and lead us away from God, as the devil unsuccessfully tempted Jesus…  and to allow the challenge… the struggle… to strengthen us and deepen our faith and our trust in God who sustains us… and to remind us that we are forgiven and washed in grace. *** Our passage today brings us alongside Jesus in the wilderness… he is full of the Holy Spirit because he has just come from his own baptism in the Jordan River, signaling the start of his ministry on Earth. But even Jesus needed clarity for his mission… to face challenge and struggle… to strengthen himself for the work ahead, and so the Spirit leads him into the wilderness. The temptations Jesus faced mirror the temptations that Adam and Eve faced in the garden…  to eat food that is not theirs to eat… to reach for power that is promised by one without the authority to make such a promise… and to test God, rather than trust that God will be true to God's promise to provide. And where humanity falters, Jesus prevails… and in facing these challenges, Jesus gains clarity, and courage for his mission.  And so, it is poetic that on this first Sunday in Lent, we celebrate the gift of Stella's baptism, and by extension, the gift of our own baptism…  We celebrate that Stella is now full of the Holy Spirit, and by extension, we too are full of the Holy Spirit, ready to face the challenges ahead…  ready to strengthen and nurture our relationship with God and give intentional focus to all that God has done for us. Through our new sister, Stella, we are reminded of the promises we made… Promises that draw us closer to God.  Promises that open our hearts to recognize all the ways that Jesus shows up for us…because that's the goal… that's always the goal. *** God's promise to us through the word and the water is that we are always being made new… that every day, our sins are drowned… gone… and we rise from the water forgiven… and redeemed, and ready to walk with Christ. And even though we must die daily to our sin and receive the promise of new life each day… God's promise is everlasting… unwavering… and true. And though we are still flawed, God still calls us to God's self, still claims us as beloved just as we are, and desires for us to participate in the renewal of Creation by transforming the world around us with love. Baptism is our physical sign and reminder that we have received God's grace… love… mercy… and forgiveness. And so today, on this first Sunday in Lent, we celebrate the promise of new life for Stella, and for all of us… and we give thanks to God for the gift of baptism. Amen.

Being rooted in love is key to thriving in life and experiencing a fruitful Lent. In this episode of Ave Explores: Lent with Sr. Josephine Garett, CSFN, Mari Pablo shares how trusting in Jesus's love and mercy—and seeking refuge in his Sacred Heart—has guided her through life's challenges and the depths of her own heart. During Lent, as we intentionally pray, fast, and give, Christ offers us comfort, rest, and transformation. We would love it if you could leave a written review on Apple and share with your friends! Editing provided by Forte Catholic (https://www.fortecatholic.com/)

The Spiritual Meaning of Lent: Lenten Conference #1 Psalm 95 and Psalm 51: The Foundations of Lent's Spiritual Journey During each Friday of the Lenten Season, there will be a Lenten Devotional Conference. This is the first week within this series. Each conference will appear singularly on the Website, SoundCloud, Facebook and iPod platforms. All conferences will also appear within this post. This first conference reflects on Psalm 95 and Psalm 51, emphasizing their significance in the season of Lent and the life of the Church. Psalm 95 is a daily call to praise, worship, and recognize God's sovereignty, but it also warns against hardening one's heart, as the Israelites did in the wilderness. It highlights the necessity of listening to God's voice today, not delaying obedience. During Lent, the Church abstains from saying “Hallelujah” as a symbolic act of preparation, reinforcing that true praise must come from a purified heart. The conference also discusses Psalm 51, a penitential psalm of King David after his sin with Bathsheba, stressing the importance of compunction—a deep sorrow for sin that moves one toward true repentance. Lent, therefore, is not merely about resisting temptation but about allowing God to transform the heart so that one can truly praise Him with sincerity and purity. Listen to this first devotional Lenten Conference and let it transform your heart. Join us virtually (or physically each week for additional Lenten conferences. Listen to: The Spiritual Meaning of Lent ------------------------------------------------ It begins as a call of praise. And so, note that the first thing the church says every day is to lift up the voice and give praise to God. And we pause at that moment, this command to praise the Lord. The word that we don't use during Lent, which I'm going to use now simply to say it so that we're all on the same page, is hallelujah. It is the great cry of Easter victory, and it literally means praise the Lord. And so note in a sense, there is this command to lift up the voice celebrating the great things God has done with a fullness of praise. And yet during Lent, we don't use that word, which expresses and communicates praise in its utter fullness. Hear more within the conference. ------------------------------------------------ Image: Christ of St. John of The Cross: Spanish Painter: Salvador Dalí: 1951 The painting is known as the Christ of Saint John of the Cross, because its design is based on a drawing by the 16th-century Spanish friar John of the Cross. Note: This is a low-resolution picture for copyright purposes. ------------------------------------------------ Note: This marks the First Friday of the current Lenten Season, featuring special formation conferences covering a range of seasonal topics. As we move forward within the Season, each week's separate post will have various links to the other conferences. There will also be one post that has all conference. As we move forward, look for the various posts and links.

 During Lent this year, we will re-share some reflections on the works of a great Catholic mind of the 20th century, Gilbert Keith Chesterton. Last year, Fr. Scott and his brother, Fr. Mark Lawler, an internationally recognized expert on the works of G. K. Chesterton, discussed Chesterton and Lent.https://archive.org/download/LetsTalkCatholic/LTC-137RR-Chesterton-in-Lent-Pt1.mp3

Feeling hungry? It's march 3rd, Pancake Day ! Which means you have to choose your favourite toppings! Pancake Day is also known as Shrove Tuesday, which marks the day before the start of Lent on the Christian calendar. The date changes every year, as it depends on when Easter falls.    According to Christian tradition, Pancake Day marks the last day of excess allowed before Lent. The following day is Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of 40 days of prayer and fasting. During Lent, practising Christians often give up something as a personal sacrifice to remember the forty days Jesus spent in the desert. Lent ends on Easter Sunday, when Christians celebrate Jesus's resurrection from the dead, after being crucified.  How far back does the celebration of Pancake Day go? Why eating pancakes ? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here : How can I use the 80/20 method to save money? How are social media influencers making money through rage baiting? How much money makes you happy? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast : 15/02/2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are called to be saints in the middle of the world. And to become saints, we must begin again and again. During Lent, through our prayer, penance and almsgiving, we can follow Jesus closely. God loves us unconditionally. He calls us to live a life of commitment, and through that to live a life of joy. This meditation is the final of seven meditations we are posting from a Lent retreat by Father Timothy Uhen. During Lent, we seek a deeper love of God and neighbor through prayer, self-denial, and charity. The aim of these Lenten meditations is to help us, through Jesus, to gaze upon the glory of God and to realize that his kindness is a greater joy than life itself.

During Lent, Christians commonly choose a Lenten sacrifice, abstaining from pleasures such as chocolate, sugar, alcohol, or even social media. Listeners observing Lent call in and share what they are giving up.

Homily from Ash Wednesday. We hope He sees. We have faith it matters to Him. We do it because He said so. During Lent, we have the chance to make our lives an act of hope, faith, and love. More than growing in discipline or self-improvement, Lent is a chance to live what we believe by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Mass Readings from February 14, 2024: Joel 2:12-18 Psalms 51:3--6, 12-14 and 172 Corinthians 5:20—6:2 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Lent comes every year, yet often we struggle to create an effective plan to improve ourselves and refocus on Christ. During Lent, all men's minds should be moved with greater zeal to develop and expand on our spiritual disciplines, but how can we achieve this successfully? For the ways of the world are many and even the best among us lack the constancy to stay straight the course throughout the year in our work to overcome our natural desires and deepen our love for Christ. Today we discuss a great plan to not only improve and become like Christ this Lent, but also a strategy to continue as a new man this Easter and beyond. BOOK: Jesus' Way: The 46-Day Lenten Journey - https://store.catholicgentleman.com/products/jesus-way Today we get to answer a question for a listener regarding practical tools to stay chaste in our digital world. ✅ If you have any questions that we can answer on the show, please, send your questions to us at podcast@catholicgentleman.com. If you record yourself on your phone and send us the audio clip we will play it on air.