Season of Repentance
The Season of Repentance talks about the very powerful stories of Jesus’ transfiguration and his temptation, and the Prodigal Son. Lent is a time for us to consider our own lives; a kind of a spiritual six-week retreat before we celebrate Easter. It is the time to look inward and ask why Jesus came to begin with. He came because of sin. Jesus himself was tempted. He is not only our model in resisting temptation, He is also our source of strength. The Holy Spirit brings us conversion.
Outline of the Season of Repentance (Lent)
Fresh beginnings sometimes call for drastic measures
Example of 40 day fast
Transfiguration
New job, new school, new location
Grace is always available
Resist the devil and he will flee
Repentance
Admit need for change
Sorrow
Plan to change
Welcoming back by the Father—like the Prodigal Son story
Small story of life experience: Conversion of heart
God can bring good from bad
Stepping out
Takes conversion
Boldness comes with Spirit
Ask for Spirit
Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord
Live the faith; believe Jesus is Lord
Season of Repentance References and Resources
Please note that CCC refers to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, English translation, 2nd Edition,©1994, 1997. United States Catholic Conference, Inc., Libreria Editrice Vaticana. [see link] New American Bible (NAB) readings are referenced from the Lectionary for Mass, for use in the dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition ©1997, 1970 by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. [see link]
Luke 4:3. “If” you are God
Luke 9: 29 Transfiguration
James 4: 7 Resist the devil
Ephesians 6:11 Armor of God
Psalm 91 quoted by devil in Luke 4
Books by Thomas Greene, S.J.: Weeds Among the Wheat, Darkness in the Marketplace, When the Well Runs Dry
The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius; Translated by Pierre Wolff
2 Corinthians 11:14 Satan masquerades as angel of light
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 Prodigal Son
John 8:1-11 Woman of adultery
2 Corinthians 5:17-21Made sin who knew no sin
Heart of Jesus bronze statue by Timothy P. Schmalz
CCC 1428 Continuing call to conversion
Acts 8:26-39 Philip’s visit to Ethiopian eunuch
Isaiah 43:16-21 Reminder of destruction at parting of Red Sea
Romans 10:8-13 “Jesus is Lord” Readings for Season of the Repentance see Readings & Catechism Please note that Scrutiny Sundays use the readings from Year A. For more about those liturgies see Season of Hope.Ash Wednesday Joel 2:12-18 return to the Lord with fasting weeping, and mourning; Lord is slow to anger; proclaim a fast 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2 we are ambassadors; him to be sin who did not know sin; now is a very acceptable timeMatthew 6:1-6, 16-19 Actions from the heart-not for show. Recompense, repayment of hidden1st Sunday of Lent
Deuteronomy 26:4-10 Israel’s oppression in Egypt, “first fruits”
Romans 10:8-13 “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord” “you will be saved”
Luke 4:1-13 Jesus tempted by the devil after fast
2nd Sunday of Lent
Genesis 15:5-12,17-18 covenant of Abraham: numerous descendants
Philippians 3:17-4:1 “be imitators of me”
Luke 9:28b-36 transfiguration
3rd Sunday of Lent / scrutiny: see Year A
Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15 burning bush, “lead them out” I AM
1 Corinthians 10:1-6,10-12 drank from spiritual rock “rock was Christ”
Luke 13:1-9 repent; not cut down the tree, 2nd chance with fertilizer
4th Sunday of Lent / scrutiny: see Year A
Joshua 5:9a, 10-12 1st Passover, Promised Land, end of manna
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 in Christ a new creation, “ambassadors for Christ”
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 Prodigal son
Fifth Sunday of Lent / scrutiny: see Year A
Isaiah 43:16-21 “see, I am doing something new” “rivers in the wasteland”
Philippians 3:8-14 “continue my pursuit toward the goal”
John 8:1-11 woman caught in adultery “sin no more”