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SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR = ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Making known God’s goodness

Questions or Comments: angelelewissnd@ve= rizon.net or call 978-380-1571.=

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And you? ¿Y t= u?

Volume 2, Issue 9 • February 2008

BACKGROU= NDER

Jesus warns us not to be t= wo-faced; God calls us to be authentic! Part of the work of Lent is to face= the truth and name what it is in our life that needs to be reconciled to G= od. Being truthful opens us to receive God’s graciousness, mercy, kin= dness and blessing. We are to “rend our hearts,” opening oursel= ves to God’s holiness, so that we not “receive the grace of God= in vain.” In this way we put on the mind of God and try to know ours= elves as God knows us.

Just as physical exercises= strengthen the body, spiritual exercises (i.e., almsgiving, prayer and fas= ting) strengthen our souls. They are disciplines that change us and to reor= ient us towards God and God’s law. By changing ourselves, we change o= ur relationship to God and each other in Jesus. Lent reminds is that “= ;now is the day of salvation.”

What kinds of acts of= charity do you perform? What ways can you act to become more charitable? W= hat steps can you take to become more of a woman of prayer? What practices = of pray do you use? What kind of fasting do you do? Do you have a need to f= ast?

ALMSGIVI= NG, PRAYER, AND FASTING

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms,
do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you pray,
do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room,
close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you fast,
do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

—Mt 6:1-6, 16-18

PONDER T= HESE THINGS

Sit quietly. Breathe deeply and exhale = the stress and anxieties of the day. Ask Jesus to help you be aware of what= you need to learn or see.

Read each section of ALMSGIVING, PRAYER= , FASTING. Think about each section as you hear it. Pay attention especiall= y to any phrases that stand out for you. What does this mean for you?

Re-read a section again. Picture the SC= ENE. What is it like for you to listen as a member of the gathered CROWD or= a DISCIPLE?

Re-read a section for a third time. Wha= t is asking for your attention? Where do you go when you need to pray? What= do you find yourself praying for most often? What is the relationship betw= een forgiving and being forgiven? What is the purpose of fasting?

Take a few minutes to talk and thank Je= sus!

“You know all that = I ask the good God for you. Oh! May He alone, possess your heart = ; without reserve, without division &nbs= p; and forever!

St. Julie Billiart,

Foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur

· What are your favorite spiritual practices = or exercises?

· What steps will you take to prepare yoursel= f to make a good Lent?

· What areas of your life need renewal? Refor= m?

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