Dear Saints,

My venturing out into the desert with Jesus has yet again revealed me to be self-referential, self-indulgent, and selfish.

This is no real surprise, I suppose, given that the Church teaches that prayer, fasting, and almsgiving "express conversion in relation to oneself, to God, and to others.”

Prayer moves me beyond my being self-referential to prioritize God and his mission; fasting tackles my self-indulgence and gives me self-possession, that I might more freely give myself to God and others; and almsgiving gets me beyond selfishness to see the needs and concerns of others, and endeavor to bring God’s love to life for them.

So, yes. Seeing where we fall short of the demands of love in relation to God, self, and neighbor isn’t the end of story. In fact, that’s where we pick up our Lenten journey. In his mercy, God shows us where we stray so we can return to his way, the way of abundant life.

One of my practices this Lent has been to pray a prayer for daily neglects before night prayer. I’m including it here in case you’d like to pray along with me:

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all its love, all its sufferings and all its merits.

First --- To expiate all the sins I have committed this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Second --- To purify the good I have done poorly this day and during all my life. Glory Be, etc.
Third --- To supply for the good I ought to have done, and that I have neglected this day and all my life. Glory Be, etc.

Christ’s Peace,
Father Daniel

δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ