Lent 2023 Week Five
‘The Lenten journey of penance and journey of the Synod alike have as their goal a transfiguration, both personal and ecclesial. A transformation that, in both cases, has its model in the Transfiguration of Jesus and is achieved by the grace of his paschal mystery… I would like to propose two “paths” to follow in order to ascend the mountain together with Jesus and, with him, to attain the goal.
The first path has to do with the command that God the Father addresses to the disciples on Mount Tabor as they contemplate Jesus transfigured. The voice from the cloud says: “Listen to him.” The first proposal then, is very clear: we need to listen to Jesus….And how does he speak to us? First in the word of God which the Church offers in the liturgy…and in addition to the Scriptures, the Lord speaks to us through our brothers and sisters, especially in the faces and the stories of those who are in need.’
From Pope Francis Message for Lent 2023
Read the complete Message from Pope Francis for Lent 2023 HERE
Readings
Ezek 37:12-14. I shall put my spirit in you, and you will live.
Ps 129: R. With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.
Rom 8:8-11. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, then he will give life to your own mortal bodies.
Jn 11:1-45. I am the resurrection and the life.
Homily Studio podcast
Listen to a 30-minute conversation about the scriptures for Sunday HERE
Prayer of the Faithful:
Invocation: E te Ariki … Response: Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou
E te Ariki, Lord, we pray:
just as we hear in the Gospel story today, may we experience Jesus calling us back to life as active participants in his mission.
Invocation: E te Ariki - Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou
that you will transform our fears into hope, selfishness into love, and deaths into new life.
Invocation: E te Ariki - Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou
for all who must face death every day, particularly emergency personnel and hospital chaplains: that God will strengthen their spirits and help them honor the life of each person they assist.
Invocation: E te Ariki - Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou
for all the people of Bethany, Palestine and Israel; that God will turn hearts from violence, protect the innocent, open new understanding of each other’s fears and hopes, and heal the wounds and mistrust that exists.
Invocation: E te Ariki - Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou
(Prayers are adapted from The Sunday Website: St Louis University)
Resources
Laudato Si' Lent calendar HERE
Loyola Press resources for Lent
A useful collection of ways to inspire you throughout Lent. HERE
Visual communication on Scripture
The Stations of the Cross through Lent. HERE
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand
‘I am the light of the world’ – Lent 2023
Go to their website HERE
There is a long list of resources to download.