To [the person] who remains in this world, no repentance is too late. The Approach to God’s mercy is open, and the access is easy to those who seek and apprehend the truth. ~St. Cyprian

O LORD, who for our sake didst fast forty days and forty nights: Give us grace to use such abstinence, that, our flesh being subdued to the Spirit, we may ever obey thy godly motions in righteousness and true holiness, to thy honour and glory, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen

When our faith is weak, when we are assailed by contradictions and doubts, we are tempted to look at our faith, to worry about our faith, to try to work up more faith. At such times, however, we must not look to our faith but look to him. Look to him, listen to him, and faith will take care of itself. Keep looking. Keep listening. ~Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, excerpt from Death on a Friday Afternoon, pg. 39

The ancient Christian fathers spoke of the Christ event as the “recapitulation” of the entire human drama. In this one life, all lives are summed up; in the eternal present of this one life, the past is encompassed, the future anticipated and the life of Everyman and Everywoman is most truly lived. “I am the way, the truth, the life,” he said. Not a way among other ways, not a truth among other truths, not a life among other lives, but the way of all ways, the truth of all truths and the life of all lives. Recapitulation. It means, quite simply and solemnly, that this life is your life, this is my life and we have not come to our senses until we sense ourselves in the life, and death, of Christ. This is the axis mundi. ~Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, excerpt from Death on a Friday Afternoon

“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.” ~C.S. Lewis

If you have a special prayer request as you begin your Lenten journey, feel free to mail it to [email protected]. Our friend the hermit will see that your request is held before the Throne of Grace throughout the Lenten season.

Grant, O Lord, that we may begin with holy fasting this campaign of Christian service, so that, as we take up battle against spiritual evils, we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen