Hiding the Alleluia

Here's the quick version to answer some questions and give you some time to actually do this today (or maybe tomorrow). I'll add pictures later today after we do it.

 Remember those wooden mantel letters? For the Easter season, they spell "Alleluia." They are painted gold and covered with "diamond dust" glitter. On Fat Tuesday, I take out the letters and make a big deal of spelling out "Alleluia." I let the children chant, sing, and even yell "Alleluia" in order to "get the Alleluias out." Then, I solemnly put the golden letters in a purple bag and explain that the Church doesn't say "Alleluia" during Lent and that we will "hide our Alleluias" until it's Easter.I hide the purple bag with the Alleluias in it (and tell someone where I put them;-). Then, it's Lent.

And it's quiet.

(Note: for Lent, the mantel letter spell REPENT. We basically use the Advent letters, which spelled PREPARE and add an N and a T. For more on mantel letters, click here.) 

This is Urgent

Do you feel sometimes as if it's all too much? I don't mean the clutter this time, or at least I don't mean only the clutter. Do you feel as if there is just so much that's expected of you and not enough you to cover it all? Are the burdens of your daily life bearing down on you with a heaviness that is nearly crushing? How could that be? You live your faith. At least, you try to live your faith. And you know that God says His grace is sufficient. No matter what the suffering, He has graces abundant enough for you. He knows you better than you know yourself. He knows exactly what you need. So why? Why is it all too much? Why does it feel like there's plugged duct in the strength and grace supply line?

What if  the exact amount of grace that you need right now is ready and waiting for you? What if whatever strength you are lacking could be yours?  What if you could have right away?

You can. In nearly every town, there are numerous confession times for the next few days. You walk into that confessional and you dump. You dump all the gunk that is blocking the channel of grace. You lose all the muck and you gain all the grace you need. You come out feeling loads lighter. Then, you receive our Lord in Communion and suddenly, it's not too much at all. You have more than enough.
Go now. Get yourself some grace. God is waiting to give it to you in abundance.

Lent Day 37

Fast: Go to bed early. Give your body the rest it needs to give all to your family in the morning.

Pray: Ask Mary to give you her heart today. Even as you go about your daily duties, keep close to Christ.

Give: Ask your kids what they like most to do with you. Do that today.

Lent Day 36

Fast: Do you have talent? Remember to give God theglory. “The sole thing in myself in which I glory is that I see in myself nothing in which I can glory.” – St. Catherine of Genoa

Pray: Repeat a short prayer while you do the dishes today: “O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours!”

Give: Invite a friend for lunch. Don’t worry about making the house look perfect or cooking fancy food. Be truly present to her.

Lent Day 35

Fast: Give Christ your voice today. Say what He would say.

Pray: Give Christ your heart today. Love without limit.

Give: Give Christ your hands today. Do what He would do.