Spirituality
To quench thirsts of any kind, Jesus is the living water
Msgr. Joseph Prior comments on the imagery of water in the readings for the Third Sunday of Lent, which point to the sacrifice of Jesus leading to the baptismal waters of Easter.
Readings of the holy Mass – Third Sunday of Lent
Read or listen to the readings before Mass with the resources below from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition.
What a simple tweet said about the bluntness of Scripture
Her parish's Twitter feed exploded over its "Remember you are dust" tweet, and Gina Christian wondered why. The ashes we received give a reminder that the Lord can heal us when we come just as we are.
This Lent, give up pride, take up humility
Kim Griffin started Lent excited for growth but over-estimated her abilities to resist sin and under-estimated her need for God’s grace. Humility strengthens us to choose not our own will, but to accept God's.
Readings of the holy Mass – Second Sunday of Lent
Read or listen to the readings before Mass with the resources below from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition.
God responds to sin with a plan for mercy and love
In his commentary for the readings on the Second Sunday of Lent, Msgr. Joseph Prior looks at God’s unfolding plan for redemption through the covenant with Abraham, culminating in the resurrection of Jesus.
Giving ‘alms,’ and other acts of charity, during Lent
The Lenten practice of almsgiving is a sacrifice our own comfort and desires for the good of others. Learn more about the roots and practical ways of charity -- gifts not only of our money but our time and talents as well.
Our responsibility to charity requires a self-sacrifice
It is the height of mercy to give our goods for the sake of others, writes Paul Senz. Almsgiving is not just about putting a few dollars into the donation basket. It is about giving of what we have -- and giving of ourselves.
New ways to give alms
Almsgiving has its roots in a Greek term meaning "mercy," and if we adopt some practical suggestions -- like donating the money we would spend on mocha lattes -- it can help us grow in mercy and justice this Lent.
Almsgiving: Give in a way ‘that is pleasing to God’
Throughout Scripture, we find ample evidence of God calling us to give alms to the poor. During the Lenten season we are called to be mindful of the poor in our midst and to respond generously.