Nourishment for your lenten journey
Four ways to experience renewal for yourself—and your class
Photo from Photos.comLent is coming, that great liturgical season that invites us to pray more often, to serve others, especially those most in need, and to fast from our bad habits and behaviors. Lent offers quite a challenge and yet it still draws us. Maybe it’s the nice long stretch of 40 days, giving us time to get into the journey. Maybe it’s the traditional practices that date back to our childhoods. Maybe it’s because the goal of Lent is Easter, a joyous time of resurrection and new life. Whatever the reason, we catechists can view Lent as a special time to focus on our call to follow Jesus Christ. To this end, here are some prayers and brief reflections, followed by questions, to guide you on your lenten journey.
Teach me, Holy Spirit
Inspire me, Holy Spirit,
Spirit of Jesus incarnate,
to walk the lenten journey well
and to be a model and good example
for the children I teach.
I know that you forgive me
for the times I have been impatient or unfair,
but I really want to do better, to be more open
to the needs of every child.
To welcome each and respond to each as a unique individual,
a precious gift from God.
Teach me how to pray more sincerely and more often.
Teach me how to fast, especially from all that
might give bad example to those I teach.
Teach me how to share my time
and attention more generously.
Amen.
*Adapted from A Prayerbook for Catechists (Twenty-Third Publications).
- Do you treat every child in your class as a gift from God? In what ways?
- How might you be more attentive to each child this Lent?
Attend liturgy faithfully
I don’t like the phrase “going to church.” It always sounds to me like going to a club or going to school. I mean, rather, join in the community worship every Sunday (of Lent). You need the support of the others, their prayers, example, and community—and they need yours. You should give witness to your neighbors and take time (during Lent) to say out loud—what society does not permit—that Jesus Christ is Lord.
*Father Bill Bausch from his book While You Were Gone.
- How do you explain the importance of community worship to those you teach?
- In what ways are you able to proclaim Jesus as Lord in your teaching?
St. Patrick’s prayer (great for March 17)
I arise today and Christ is with me,
Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every person who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Originally called “St. Patrick’s Breastplate,” this Christian hymn was traditionally attributed to St. Patrick during his Irish ministry in the 5th century; however, it was probably actually written later, in the 8th century.
- In what ways do you experience “Christ with you” in your life?
- How might you share this prayer and its meaning with those you teach?
The Sign of the Cross
The Sign of the Cross reminds us of the great mystery, the great relationship, of our faith—the Trinity. This triune, three-personed community of love offers itself to us through the Incarnation of the Son in Jesus and later sanctifies us with the gift of the Holy Spirit. Most explicitly it expresses the fullness of God’s love and utter vulnerability for us—Jesus’ death on the cross. Through the Sign of the Cross, we profess faith in the Christ we claim as savior. It’s a wonderful symbol and prayer for Lent.
*Michael J. Daley from his book Our Catholic Symbols.
- Do you often make the Sign of the Cross? Why or why not?
- How might you use it during Lent with those you teach?
Gwen Costello is author of A Prayerbook for Catechists and Blessed Are You! A Prayerbook for Catholics, both available from Twenty-Third Publications.
