Weekly Lenten Devotionals
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Excerpts below are from the Salesian Missions
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Sunday, February 21
“The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and He remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan...” Mark 1:12-13Key thought:
This passage reminds us that no human, not even Jesus, is safe from temptation.Suggested practice:
How do you handle temptation? Jesus allowed Himself to be led into the desert, in part, so that He could offer an example of how to resist temptation. Open yourself to God’s presence today by saying this prayer and remember that you can return to it at any time during Lent and beyond.Prayer to Overcome Temptation I believe, Lord, that with Your example and help I can overcome temptation in my life. I hope in You, Lord, because You know that I am weak, and therefore You give me Your grace which is stronger than sin. I love You, Lord, and I know that love for You and for souls will give me the strength to overcome sin in my life and help others to overcome it as well. Amen. Monday, February 22
“Simon Peter said in reply, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’”
Matthew 16:16Key thought:
Many people had opinions on who Jesus was, but Simon Peter—speaking on behalf of the apostles—was the one to correctly identify Him (with a little help from God).Suggested practice:
Be mindful of God’s voice in your day-to-day activities. What truths might He be trying to reveal to you? Make a point each morning to quiet your mind and listen to Him.Tuesday, February 23
“If you forgive other people for their offenses, your Heavenly Father will forgive you.” Matthew 6:14Key thought:
Has someone hurt you? Have you offered your forgiveness, even if that person hasn’t sought it?Suggested practice:
Pray for God’s help in understanding the shortcomings and imperfections of others, and set an intention to forgive without expectation, even when it’s hard to do so.Wednesday, February 24
“…they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and there is something greater than Jonah here.” Luke 11:32Key thought:
Our salvation begins with acknowledging our shortcomings, and understanding that we need God’s help in order to change.Suggested practice:
Have you participated in the Sacrament of Reconciliation lately? If you’re unable to physically visit your church because of the pandemic, make time this week to reflect upon your sins, confess them before God, and sincerely ask Him to guide you toward greater obedience.Thursday, February 25
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7Key thought:
God knows what we need without having to be asked; yet we cannot expect His mercy without active demonstrations of faith.Suggested practice:
Set aside 15 minutes for prayer today, and communicate your needs to God. This is how He will open the door to granting your requests.Friday, February 26
“…go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:24Key thought:
Asking for forgiveness can be just as difficult as offering it. But God doesn’t want us to shy away from the task.Suggested practice:
Think back over the past several months, and recall something you may have done or said that hurt another person. Be honest with yourself. Then, as difficult as it might be, pick up the phone—or write a sincere note—to ask for their forgiveness.Saturday, February 27
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:43-44Key thought:
Each of us is a child of God—and none of us is perfect. Still, God asks us to aspire to perfection by recognizing the fallibility of others, and not punishing them for it. By ‘being the bigger person,’ we honor His desires for us.Suggested practice:
Offer your prayers today for anyone who may have misjudged, mistreated, misunderstood or even mocked you. Ask for God’s strength to turn the other cheek the next time it happens.
Wednesday, February 17 – Ash Wednesday
“Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting in punishment.” Joel 2:13Key thought:
What does it mean to ‘rend your heart?’ It suggests an action; a true change. This is what it means to repent: to be sincere when we turn away from sin and toward God and His mercy.Suggested practice:
What will it take for you to truly change your heart? Remember, God is ready to forgive you. Spend a few moments asking Him for guidance so that you can embark on your Lenten journey in good faith.Thursday, February 18
“Then He said to all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.’” Luke 9:23Key thought:
Often, we equate ‘denying ourselves’ with sacrifice…but it’s more than simply giving something up that we enjoy. ‘Denying ourselves’ means to overcome our human nature to be selfish. When we commit to following Jesus, we begin to train ourselves to live unselfishly in service to others.Suggested practice:
What does it mean to follow Jesus? How can you begin to make this part of your routine? Ask His direction in all that you do today; and be mindful of opportunities to turn away from selfishness.Friday, February 19
“And Jesus said to them, ‘The attendants of the groom cannot mourn as long as the groom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the groom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.’” Matthew 9:15Key thought:
Fasting is one way to let go of things that compete for our attention in order to place God at our center. Today’s passage challenges us to think about what we might bid farewell to, in order to fully welcome Jesus into our hearts.Suggested practice:
Most of us take the word ‘fast’ literally, and refrain from eating certain foods. This is certainly an important part of our Lenten ritual; but what else might you need to fast from right now? What else takes up too much of your energy? Technology? Your desire to please others? Spend a few minutes brainstorming a list, and choose one meaningful thing to give up.Saturday, February 20
“Jesus said to them in reply, ‘Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.’” Luke 5:31-32Key thought:
Jesus is referring to the tax collectors and other ‘unrighteous’ guests seated at the dinner table with Him, whom the self-righteous Pharisees judged to be unworthy. In fact, whenever the Pharisees compared themselves to others, they saw themselves as better…but of course that wasn’t actually the case.Suggested practice:
From time to time, each of us could use a reminder that no matter how good or righteous we think we are, we are still sinners. “He who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12) Today, make some time to recite this prayer:Litany of Humility Lord Jesus! Meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. Amen.
— Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930)