Commentary: The English word "Lent" is of Germanic origin, from the Old English (A.K.A. Anglo-Saxon) lencten & related etymologically to the Dutch lente & the German lenz, both meaning "spring" (the season, not the water source or the metal curly-cue). The Latin name, Quadragesima, means "fortieth," referring to the penitential season's length.
Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—First Sunday of Lent
The Book of Genesis, chapter nine, verses eight thru fifteen;
Psalm Twenty-five, verses four & five, six & seven, & eight & nine;
The First Letter of Peter, chapter three, verses eighteen thru twenty-two;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter one, verses twelve thru fifteen.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, we have come to the great and holy season of Lent. Lent is, by its nature, a desert time, a time of simplicity, purification, and asceticism. We notice today in Mark’s account of the temptation that the Spirit himself led Jesus into the desert.Star Wars.
In so many of the great figures of salvation history—Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, David—a period of testing is required before they can commence their work. We see the same thing in the initiation rituals of tribal peoples as well—and you can see it in Luke Skywalker’s initiation in
The desert represents a stripping away so as to make the fundamental things appear. In the desert, there are no distractions or diversions or secondary matters. Everything is basic, necessary, simple. One survives or one doesn’t.
One discovers in the desert strengths and weaknesses he didn’t know he had. It is like the purifying of a metal in fire. Now, Jesus didn’t have sin to deal with, but in his humanity, he knew temptation. Before we’re ready to resume our work, we have to go with him into the wilderness.Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Video reflection by Jeff Cavins: Encountering the Word.
Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D.: Breaking the Bread.
Video reflection by Father Thomas Rosica, C.S.B.: Salt + Light
Mass Journal: Week Eight
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:
The human heart is on a quest for happiness. Every person yearns for happiness like the desert years for rain. You have a desire for happiness; I have a desire for happiness. This desire is universal, common to every member of the human family. We simply desire to be happy, & we act from this desire. We often do things that we think will make us happy, only to discover that they end up making us miserable. This is often because we confuse pleasure with happiness. And sometimes long-term misery comes disguised as short-term pleasure.†
Otherwise, 18 February would be the festival of Saint Simon, Bishop & Martyr (died 106, also spelt Simeon), martyred in the reign of the emperor Trajan: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.
'Twould also be the festival of Blessed John of Fiesole, Religious, O.P. (circa 1387-1455, "Fra Angelico" [the "Angelic friar"]; A.K.A. Guido di Pietro): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.
Commentary: Wayback Machine.
'Twould also be the festival of Blessed John Pibush, Priest & Martyr (died 1601), martyred in the reign of the queen Elizabeth I, of the one hundred sixty Martyrs of Douai: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link CLX & Wikipedia-link CLX.
Saint Quote o' the Day
"Insofar as divine love beautifies our souls & makes us pleasing to His divine Majesty, it is called grace; insofar as it gives us strength to do good, it is called charity; but when it reaches such a degree of perfection, that it makes us not only do the good, but do so carefully, frequently, & readily, then it is called devotion."
—St. Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church (1561-1622, feast day: 24 January)
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