First Sunday of Lent

We explore how intentional preparation changes your experience of the Mass, especially in Lent. From reviewing the readings to bringing concrete intentions, we share simple habits that turn routine into real encounter with Christ.

• opening prayers and daily offering
• why preparation begins at home
• making a short list of intentions
• spiritual reading to engage the liturgy
• lessons from sports about readiness
• Fulton Sheen’s challenge to bring an offering
• asking for specific graces at work and home
• closing prayers and resources to grow in Lent

If you found this time of prayer and reflection fruitful and would like more opportunities to grow in your faith this land, consider joining the Cristeros and purchasing our Lenten Reflection booklet is now available on Amazon.com
The Cristeros app is available in the Apple app and Google Play Store
More information on the Cristeros can be found at theCristeros.org

Transcript

Daily Offering And Intentions

How To Prepare For Mass

Lessons From Sports And Sheen

Closing Prayers And Resources

SPEAKER_00 0:03

The first Sunday of Lent, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. 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. O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day, in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the remission of my sins, for the intentions of my family and friends, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father. Amen. Preparation for Mass begins at home and can even begin the night before, perhaps with a prayerful glance at the readings for the next day, whether at daily or Sunday Mass. It could include a list of intentions to bring to Mass. Think of all the people who ask us for prayer, who need our prayer, who don't or won't pray themselves. It might also include a consideration of particular graces you might need at home, at work, with a particular virtue, etc. Furthermore, it could involve some spiritual reading on the Mass, which helps you to engage prayerfully the holy sacrifice in some new way. Whatever the case, we must prepare to meet the Lord. We cannot simply waltz into the church. We cannot simply waltz into the church building and expect to be profoundly recollected. The weight and dust of the world lays heavy on our souls, and it takes some time beforehand, even before reaching the church, to rid our shoulders of unnecessary burdens when we come to pray. Bishop Wall wrote about this in Sacra Mysteria Venerare, and his words will be helpful here. Anything that is worthwhile involves some degree of preparation. Sports fans know this. Not only does one have to purchase tickets, often well in advance, but he must also know the details of the game and players if he is to enjoy the sport. This is to say nothing of those avid fans that travel great distances to see their favorite team, and even arrive hours early so as to throw a tailgate party. Now, if this is true for mere sporting events, how much more is it true for participating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? We cannot simply wander in with no preparation and expect to get something out of mass. Venerable Fulton Sheen used to say, Do you know the reason why you don't get anything out of mass? It is because you don't bring anything to it. The question then is how do we prepare for mass and what do we bring in our hearts? All that I have and all that I am, I give to your hands, Jesus, through the heart of Mary, your blessed mother. Amen. Sacred heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. If you found this time of prayer and reflection fruitful and would like more opportunities to grow in your faith this land, consider joining the Cristuros and purchasing our Lenten Reflection booklet is now available on Amazon.com. The Crusaros app is available in the Apple app and Google Play Store. More information on the Cristeros can be found at theChristeros.org.