Week One of Lent
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Return to the Lord
with All Your Heart -
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The season of Lent is a sacred time of renewal, repentance, and preparation for the joy of Easter. It is a journey that invites us to turn away from sin, refocus our hearts on God, and embrace the transformative power of His love and mercy. The theme for this first week of Lent, "Return to the Lord with All Your Heart," draws inspiration from the prophet Joel, who calls us to rend our hearts and not our garments, to fast, pray, and seek God with sincerity (Joel 2:12-18).
This week, the Church reminds us that Lent is not merely about external practices but about an interior transformation—a return to the Lord with our whole being. Through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we are invited to deepen our relationship with God, to let go of what distracts us, and to open our hearts to His grace. As we begin this holy season, let us take these forty days as an opportunity to draw closer to the Lord, to seek His forgiveness, and to prepare our hearts to celebrate the Resurrection with renewed faith and joy.
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- Wednesday, March 5
- Thursday, March 6
- Friday, March 7
- Saturday, March 8
- Sunday, March 9
- Monday, March 10
- Tuesday, March 11
- Wednesday, March 12
- Thursday, March 13
- Friday, March 14
- Saturday, March 15
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Wednesday, March 5 - Ash Wednesday
Return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God - Joel 2:12-13Reflection: Lent begins with a call to return to God with all our hearts. Fasting, prayer, and almsgiving are not for show but for inner transformation. As you receive ashes, remember your mortality and the need for God’s mercy. How can you make this Lent a time of sincere repentance and renewal?Prayer: May my fasting, prayer, and almsgiving be sincere, drawing me closer to You and to others in love. Grant me the strength to walk this Lenten journey with humility and hope, trusting in Your boundless mercy.
Activity: Attend Ash Wednesday service and reflect on personal areas needing repentance.Journaling Prompt: What does repentance mean to me?
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Thursday, March 6 - Thursday After Ash Wednesday
“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily* and follow me."– Luke 9:23 Reflection: Moses urges us to choose life by following God’s commandments. Jesus reminds us that losing our life for His sake is the path to true life. What choices will you make this Lent to draw closer to God and embrace the life He offers?Prayer: "Guide my choices, Lord, that I may walk in Your ways."Activity: Create a family or personal mission statement centered on faith values.Journaling Prompt: How can I choose life in my daily actions?
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Friday, March 7 – Day of Fasting/Abstinence
Is this not, rather, the fast that I choose: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking off every yoke?– Isaiah 58:6
Reflection: True fasting is not just about abstaining from food but about breaking the chains of injustice and caring for the poor. How can your Lenten practices lead to greater love and justice for others?
Prayer: "May my fasting lead me to greater love and service."
Activity: Donate to a cause that fights hunger.
Journaling Prompt: What does true fasting mean to me?
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Saturday, March 8 - Saturday After Ash Wednesday
Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.” - Luke 5:31-32Reflection: God promises to guide and satisfy us if we honor Him and care for others. Jesus calls sinners to repentance. Are there areas in your life where you need to respond to His call more fully?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You call me to honor You by caring for the poor, lifting up the weary, and walking in Your ways. Help me to respond to Your grace, as Levi did, leaving behind all that keeps me from following Christ. Teach me to trust in Your mercy, as the psalmist cries out, "You are good and forgiving, abounding in kindness."
Activity: Reach out to someone marginalized or lonely.
Journaling Prompt: How is Jesus calling me to follow Him more closely?
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Sunday, March 9 - First Sunday of Lent
'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.' - Matthew 25:45Reflection: The readings call us to humility, repentance, and a faith that transforms our hearts. Let us strive to love God deeply, acknowledge our need for His mercy, and trust in His saving grace. In what areas of my life do I struggle with pride or self-reliance, and how can I turn to God in humility, trusting in His mercy and grace to transform me?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I come before You in humility, aware of my need for Your mercy. Teach me to rely not on my own strength but on Your grace. Transform my heart, that I may love You deeply and live in faith, trusting in Your promises. Help me to turn away from pride and self-reliance, and to seek You with a contrite and open heart. Amen.Activity: Identify personal temptations and pray for strength.Journaling Prompt: When have I felt tempted, and how did I respond?
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Monday, March 10
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life. - John 6:63bReflection: These passages invite us to reflect on how our daily actions align with God's call to holiness through love and service to others. They challenge us to recognize Christ in every person, especially those marginalized or in need. How can I embody God's holiness today by actively loving and serving my neighbors, recognizing Christ in each of them?
Prayer: Lord, open my eyes to see You in those around me, especially in the marginalized and suffering. Grant me the grace to act with compassion and integrity, living out Your command to love my neighbor as myself. May my actions today reflect Your holiness and bring glory to Your name. Amen.
Activity: Spend 10 minutes in silent prayer, focusing on being fully present to God.
Journaling Prompt: What distractions keep you from praying deeply? How can you create space for God in your daily routine?
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Tuesday, March 11
One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.- Matthew 4:4bReflection: Jesus teaches us to pray with sincerity, not with empty words. How can you make your prayer life more authentic and heartfelt?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me to pray from the depths of my heart. May my words and actions align with Your will. Amen.Activity: Spend 10 minutes in silent prayer, focusing on being fully present to God.Journaling Prompt: What distractions keep you from praying deeply? How can you create space for God in your daily routine?
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Wednesday, March 12
A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.- Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19Reflection: Jonah’s story reminds us that God’s mercy is for everyone, even those we might consider undeserving. Who in your life needs forgiveness or mercy?
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Thursday, March 13
Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me. -Psalm 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8Reflection: Jesus calls us to trust in God’s providence, even when life feels uncertain. What worries or fears do you need to surrender to God today?
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Friday, March 14
Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the LORD, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. - Ezekiel 18:31Reflection: Fasting is not just about food but about turning away from sin and turning toward God. What habit or sin do you need to fast from this Lent?
Prayer: Lord, give me the strength to fast from what separates me from You. Fill me with Your grace and love. Amen.
Activity: Fast from something you rely on (e.g., social media, sweets) and use that time to pray or serve others.
Journaling Prompt: How does fasting help you grow closer to God? What have you learned from past fasts?
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Saturday, March 15
But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. - Matthew 5:43-48Reflection: Jesus calls us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Is there someone you find difficult to love? How can you show them Christ’s love?
Prayer: Jesus, teach me to love as You love. Help me to see even my enemies as Your beloved children. Amen.
Activity: Pray for someone you struggle with, asking God to bless them and transform your heart.
Journaling Prompt: Reflect on a time when you showed love to someone who didn’t deserve it. How did it impact you?