2nd Part of Lent


	The Shrine of St. Joseph
	Experience the Difference as you walk with your God

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The
Shrine of
Saint Joseph

1050 Long Hill Road
Stirling, NJ 07980

If you are unable to join us in person, please join us in prayer.

Email:
religious@stshrine.org

Office phone:	908-647-0208
Fax:	908-647-5770

Office hours:	Daily 10-5
	Sunday 10-4

For prayer requests, please email religious@stshrine.org

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SECOND PART OF LENT

OUR JOURNEY SO FAR

It is wonderful to see the early weeks of Lent as a catechism for those who are on a journey toward Baptism at the Easter Vigil. Each liturgy offers a new "lesson in the faith" for all these new believers.

The first weeks of Lent invited – and even provoked us – to bring change to our lives. Our daily scripture readings directed us to that needed change of heart, inviting us to open our hearts more to God and our fellow humans through penance, prayer, fasting and alms giving. The daily readings, formed around the themes of conversion, mutual forgiveness, hardness of heart, sought to break through the false facade of complacency that we can create for ourselves. In the end of these first weeks, we are asked to consider the call to justice and right relationship with all as much greater in importance than worship itself. We show this by leaving our gift at the altar should anyone have anything against us.

Through the Discipline of Lent, help us to grow in our desire for YOU!!

THE SECOND PART

The second weeks of Lent lead us to TRANSFORMATION. Now the daily scripture readings, especially from John’s Gospel, center us on the mystery of Christ: calling us to listen to Jesus and imitate him. Jesus appears as a healer and life giver, as he confronts death and the power it holds over us. Jesus prepares for his ultimate victory over death when he will break the forces of darkness and gather all of his ‘friends’ into the light. Jesus is the Savior, but can save only those who know they need -- and thus seek -- salvation.

The whole dynamic of Lent is not change, but TRANSFORMATION. How wonderful if we failed in our Lenten resolutions, for the purpose of Lenten resolves is not to show our outer world we can win the battle of the wills, or more so, to confirm our own virtue and self-righteousness....

The true journey of Lent is for us to share the divine life and love we have received with others, and to hunger more and more for union with God and its resultant salvation.