|
Dear members and friends of St. Raphael’s,
This is Sunday, the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, is also the second Sunday before Lent. That is, we have about 10 days to consider how to make good use of the time of preparation for Easter through repentance and through growth in Christian discipleship.
Here is a sample Rule of Life that may help you prepare. Here Rule does not mean so much regulation or obligation as standard or guide. It is for you to set for yourself prayerfully, faithfully and realistically. You may want to discuss it with your spouse, other members of your household or with me or some other spiritual guide.
Lent can be a fruitful time of deepening faith and faithfulness. I pray that it will be so for you.
In Christ,
(The Rev.) Michael Rowe
LENTEN RULE
The disciplines of Lent are designed to train us to be different. Fasting frees us from being at the mercy of our physical appetites. Study frees us from accepting uncritically the assumptions of our culture. Prayer and worship form the ultimate declaration of independence by locating the true source of power and authority in God rather than in anything of this earth.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Praying God's grace to keep a Holy Lent, I resolve to undertake a discipline covering the following areas:
Public Worship: Sundays, Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, and ?
_______________________________
Penitence: Self-examination and confession
_______________________________
Personal devotions: Prayer, meditation, reading, etc.
_______________________________
Fasting: Giving up certain foods or activities
_______________________________
Giving: Gifts of money, time and effort to other people or worthwhile causes.
_______________________________
Other ______________________________
Please take the time to prayerfully consider your Lenten Rule and to fill it in before Ash Wednesday. Make it part of your offering at the Eucharist at noon that day.
God bless you.
Fr. Michael Rowe
Priest-in-charge
mgr3334@gmail.com
| 
