February 29, 2012 -- First Wednesday of Lent

Saints and Feasts:
Righteous John Cassian the Confessor

Readings:
Isaiah 2:3-11
Genesis 1:24-2:3
Proverbs 2:1-22

To ponder and meditate on:
"Do not be ashamed to enter the Church to confess. Be ashamed when you sin but not when you repent." - St. John Chrysostom

Challenge:
Abstain from food after lunch. Go to the Liturgy of Pre-Sanctified Gifts at your church and receive Holy Communion. Talk only when necessary today, especially in preparation for receiving the Body and Blood of Christ.

February 28, 2012 -- First Tuesday of Lent

Saints and Feasts:
Basil the Confessor
Kyranna the New Martyr of Thessaloniki

Old Testament Reading 1: Isaiah 1:19-2:3
Old Testament Reading 2: Genesis 1:14-23
Old Testament Reading 3: Proverbs 1:20-33

To ponder and meditate on:
“Fasting in respect of food is of no benefit for those who fail to fast with all their senses; for whosoever is successfully waging his battle must be temperate in all things.” - St. Isidore of Pelusium

Challenge: Say a short prayer for everyone you interact with today.

February 27, 2012--Clean Monday

Saints and Feasts:
Prokopios the Confessor of Decapolis
Raphael of Brooklyn
Stephen the Monk

Readings:
Old Testament Reading 1: Isaiah 1:1-20
Old Testament Reading 2: Genesis 1:1-13
Old Testament Reading 3: Proverbs 1:1-20

To ponder and meditate on:
"Accept the fast as an experienced educator by whom the Church teaches us piety." - St. John Chrysostom

Challenge: This is it…Clean Monday, a day of prayer, reflection, and purification. Turn off all social media for the day (and yes, Pinterest counts)…all of it! Try to remove all other distractions for the day and focus on your goals for the upcoming Lenten journey.

INTO THE DESERT...

INTO THE DESERT...

Take the 40-day Lenten Challenge beginning tomorrow, February 27 (Clean Monday). “Into the Desert” is a daily blog, which will offer the daily readings, saints of the day, reflections and discussion topics to motivate, inspire, and keep you on track during the Great Lent. The Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries will once again offer this resource that can be used for your Lenten youth group discussions as well as your own personal Lenten journey.

Challenge: It is Forgiveness Sunday! Think about your relationships with friends and loved ones. As you begin this journey, reach out and ask for forgiveness from anyone you may have hurt. It may be as simple as calling a friend to mend a strained relationship, or it may be as difficult as admitting you were wrong or sorry for something you did to a family member.

Wish you a blessed lenten journey to the Cross and the Empty Tomb!