February 28/First Saturday of Lent Happy are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart. ~ Ps 119.2 How many of us can honestly say that we seek God with our whole hearts? Do we make a genuine effort to carve out time for daily prayer and reflection — or do we let the press of…
Song 9: The Quality of Mercy
February 27/First Friday of Lent If you, O LORD, mark iniquities, LORD, who can stand?But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered. ~ Psalm 130.3-4 For me, forgiveness is one of the hardest imperatives of faith. I know that holding onto anger or resentment harms me more than it affects the perceived offender, and I know, too, that…
Song 8: Hands Together
February 26/First Thursday of Lent Your right hand saves me. Forsake not the work of your hands.~ Psalm 138.7-8 Take a moment to look at your hands. Think about everything you might do with them this day. You might create (making a meal, playing the piano, or crafting a memo), comfort (caressing a spouse’s furrowed forehead, knocking on the door…
Song 7: Giving It Up
February 25/First Wednesday of Lent For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;a broken and contrite heart, O God,you will not despise. ~ Ps 51. 18-19 When I was a little girl, the impending arrival of Lent brought on…
Song 6: Are You There, God?
February 24/First Tuesday of Lent I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.When the poor one called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him.When the just cry out, the LORD hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. ~ Ps 34.5, 7, 18 The other day…
Song 5: Building Blocks
February 23/First Monday of Lent The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes;the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever;the ordinances of the Lord are true and…
Song 4: Dependence Day
February 21/Saturday after Ash Wednesday Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you. ~ Ps. 86.1-2 It isn’t easy to come right out and call ourselves poor and needy, is it? From an early age, we have been pressured…
Song 3: My Bad
February 20/Friday after Ash Wednesday For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always:“Against you only have I sinned,and done what is evil in your sight.” ~ Psalm 51.5-6 One of my favorite New Yorker cartoons of all time – and the list is long – shows a husband and wife facing each other, her arms folded,…
Song 2: Decisions, Decisions
February 19/Thursday after Ash Wednesday Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; But their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. ~ Ps 1.1-2 With the advent (or intrusion?) of AI into…
Song 1: The Great Reset
February 18/Ash Wednesday Have mercy on me, God, according to your steadfast love;according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. ~ Ps 51.3 If there is any doubt that today we cross the threshold from Ordinary Time and enter the season of Lent, the change in liturgical color from verdant green to penitent purple, and the ashes many of…