Our reading of the week (below) tells us that Jesus taught the Apostles how to pray - with the simply beautiful Lord's Prayer. If you ever catch yourself saying this prayer without considering the depth and glory of each and every word, take our Lord's Prayer Challenge. We hope it will help you consider the Our Father in a different way. If you need the answer key, click here.

How familiar are you with the Bible? We received this puzzle at a retreat, and it helped many people feel a bit more comfortable about opening the Bible. If you haven't opened your Bible in a while, this is a fun way to get started. If your read the Bible regularly, this should be an enjoyable challenge. Click here for the puzzle.

These lovely candles are  available for purchase through Wolfe's Baldwin Brass Center Ordering candles from this link  financially supports this site. Thank you!

• Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday use a violet candle for the season of Lent.
   
• Friday, March 2 is the World Day of Prayer, as well as a day of abstinence from meat. World Day of Prayer was established by women around the world who promote unity. Many places have ecumenical (including people of different religions) worship services; if none is available, just say a personal prayer. The theme for this year is Unity under God's Tent.
   
• Saturday, March 3 is the memorial of St. Katharine Drexel, a Philadelphia heiress and debutante. She was concerned about the plight of the American blacks and Indians. She gave away her millions, became a nun, started a religious order, built schools, missions, and even a university during a time of civil unrest. We still use a violet candle, but make it a point to remember a woman who willingly gave away her material possessions and spent her life working for the good of others. She was canonized in the year 2000.
   

For Lent we'll be meditating on the Last Seven Words. These are not simply words, but the seven things Jesus said as He was dying on the cross. We encourage you to consider the impact of these words on your life this Lenten season.

As we prepare for Lent to begin, we consider Jesus' second set of words:
Truly, I say to you, tomorrow you will be in paradise.

Click here for our thoughts on these words.

This week's reading are great for the first Sunday of Lent - it's back to basics!

The first reading shares Moses' instructions for a thanksgiving liturgy. He reminds the people to embrace the salvation history of their ancestors, and to praise God for His great gifts. Each person gives the greatest fruits of his harvest back to God. Even though our society is no longer primarily agricultural, we can still bring our best to the Lord, our best praise, and our best penance. When we do this basic task, we'll be all set for the Easter feast.

Paul's message is even more basic - everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. We need to recognize how many things in our lives are unnecessary. Lent is a perfect time to fast from the unnecessary things, and spend time in prayer and self-giving. It is amazing how quickly our perspectives can change when we focus on God.

Luke continues to remind us of our salvation history with the story of Jesus' temptation. Jesus spends 40 days in the desert, just as the Israelites spent 40 years in the desert, Moses spent 40 days fasting before writing down the covenantal laws, and Elijah spent 40 days on his trek back to the mountain of Moses. Our Lenten journey may test us, as hunger and fatigue may have weakened Jesus on His own desert journey, but the testing of Lent can fill us with the Spirit who will help us drive away our own demons.

The last sentence of the Gospel points out one more basic fact - the evil one will return. Lent helps us become more aware of God, but once Lent is over we must stay vigilant to remain on God's path.