Tuesday, March 8JESUS IN THE DESERT by Jeff AllenMatthew 4:1-11Then the Spirit led Jesus up into the wilderness so that the devil might tempt him. After Jesus had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he was starving. The tempter came to him and said, “Since you are God’s Son, command these stones to become bread.”Jesus replied, “It’s written, People won’t live only by bread, but by every word s...  Read More

Monday, March 7JESUS’ BAPTISM by Dennis TraskMatthew 3:13-17At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River so that John would baptize him. John tried to stop him and said, “I need to be baptized by you, yet you come to me?”Jesus answered, “Allow me to be baptized now. This is necessary to fulfill all righteousness.”So John agreed to baptize Jesus. When Jesus was baptized, he immediately ...  Read More

Sunday, March 6THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER by Sabra EngelbrechtReflectionPrayerful fasting, repentance, and confession are traditional ways to mark the beginning of Lent. These practices can seem daunting and, frankly, not fun. But they can be helpful as we seek to hold a spirit of reflection and devotion throughout the 40 days of Lent. This week you reflected on these practices. What did your reflecti...  Read More

Saturday, March 5CONFESSION by Madi DentonPsalm 51Have mercy on me, God, according to your faithful love!    Wipe away my wrongdoings according to your great compassion!Wash me completely clean of my guilt;    purify me from my sin!Because I know my wrongdoings,    my sin is always right in front of me.I’ve sinned against you—you alone.    I’ve committed evil in your sight.That’s why you are justi...  Read More

Story from the Outside:One of the most impactful things I remember from my childhood was a nun telling me in my very first Sunday CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) class, that Jesus lived in my heart. But everything that came later seemed to contradict that. The Catholic church I grew up in was not very welcoming to outsiders, I can see it all around me - the whispers about the divorcees, ...  Read More

Friday, March 4REPENT by Amy Sanders Matthew 3:1-12In those days John the Baptist appeared in the desert of Judea announcing, “Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of heaven!” He was the one of whom Isaiah the prophet spoke when he said:The voice of one shouting in the wilderness,“Prepare the way for the Lord;Make his paths straight.”John wore clothes made of camel’s hair, with a l...  Read More