LAY CISTERCIAN LENTEN PRACTICES

Posted on February 23, 2022 by

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I share with you the Lenten Practices I do as part of my habit of penance that comes with being a Lay Cistercian. I do not wish you to do as I do. I recommend that you do as Christ does as we prepare liturgically to appreciate the importance of the Resurrection.

SCRIPTURAL READINGS

These Scriptural references below come entirely from www.usccb.org.

“The Songs of the Suffering Servant

Within the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, we encounter four poetic sections known as the Songs of the Suffering Servant. The specific identity of this Servant of the Lord remains the topic of scholarly debate. Perhaps it refers to the prophet Isaiah himself, perhaps the entire nation of Israel, or possibly the promised Messiah. Christian faith sees these prophetic utterances fulfilled in the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus the Lord.
In brief:

  • The first song introduces God’s Servant who will establish justice upon the earth
  • The second song, spoken in the Servant’s own voice, tells of being selected from the womb to become God’s mouthpiece and help renew the nation
  • In the third song, we learn of the abuse and derision the Servant endured at the hands of his enemies
  • The fourth song proclaims the salvific value of the Servant’s innocent suffering that will justify many and blot out their offenses. 

Because of the Christian identification of the Suffering Servant with Jesus, the four Servant Songs become a way of encountering the Lord during this Lenten Season. Not only do they give us a sense of the commitment and endurance that characterized his messianic ministry, but they become a way of touching the bruised face of the Messiah, of hearing the resolute determination that sustained him in the midst of trial, and of rejoicing with him in God’s ultimate vindication of his calling and service.

Song 1








Audio		Reflection
Song 2AudioReflection
Song 3AudioReflection
Song 4AudioReflection
www.usccb.org

The Seven Penitential Psalms

During times when we wish to express repentance and especially during Lent, it is customary to pray the seven penitential psalms.  The penitential designation of these psalms dates from the seventh century.  Prayerfully reciting these psalms will help us to recognize our sinfulness, express our sorrow and ask for God’s forgiveness.

Psalm 6








Audio		Reflection 
Psalm 32AudioReflection 
Psalm 38AudioReflection 
Psalm 51AudioReflection 
Psalm 102AudioReflection 
Psalm 130AudioReflection 
Psalm 143AudioReflection
THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS

I use Chapter 4 of the Rule of Benedict as my daily spiritual reading. I try to do it each day.

Chapter 4: The Tools for Good Works

SAYINGS FROM THE SAINTS AND SINNERS AT WWW.AZQUOTES.COM

“Bad company ruins good morals.” ~ Paul the Apostle

“Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another.” ~ Paul the Apostle

“We walk by faith, not by sight.” ~ Paul the Apostle

“God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” ~ Paul the Apostle

“As soon as I came to believe there was a God, I understood that I could not do otherwise than live only for him.” ~ Charles de Foucauld

“It is not necessary to teach others, to cure them or to improve them; it is only necessary to live among them, sharing the human condition and being present to them in love.” ~ Charles de Foucauld

“Above all, always see Jesus in every person, and consequently treat each one not only as an equal and as a brother or sister, but also with great humility, respect and selfless generosity.” ~ Charles de Foucauld

“To love anyone is to hope in him for always. From the moment at which we begin to judge anyone, to limit our confidence in him, from the moment at which we identify him with what we know of him and so reduce him to that, we cease to love him and he ceases to be able to be better.” ~ Charles de Foucauld

“To receive the grace of God you must go to the desert and stay awhile.” ~ Charles de Foucauld

“Anything that doesn’t lead us to that – to better know and serve God – is a waste of time.” ~ Charles de Foucauld

“Anything that doesn’t lead us to that – to better know and serve God – is a waste of time.” ~ Charles de Foucauld

“Cry the Gospel with your whole life.” ~ Charles de Foucauld

When you sit before the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, just wait. You are in the presence of God. MFC

Being human means you live in the corrupted state of matter and the human condition. This corruption is not evil but rather exists in nature as it is intended. MFC

Only humans know that they know. Animals don’t know what they don’t know. MFC

UIODG

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Category: contemplative prayer

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