Let Lent Begin

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Praying on Ash Wednesday
Latin Rite

Vegan Fare After Forgiveness Vespers
Eastern Byzantine Rite

In the Byzantine Rite of the Catholic Church, Lent has begun, as marked by Forgiveness Vespers today.  In the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, Lent begins this Wednesday, Ash Wednesday.  Since I have not posted a prayer lately, I thought I would highlight some that can pave our way into our Lenten practices.  I am so ready for Lent!!!


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Blue highlights are passages that went right to my soul when I posted this.

"Father, we thank you for revealing yourself to us in Jesus the Christ, we who once were not your people but whom you chose to adopt as your people. As ancient Israel confessed long ago, we realize that it was not because of our own righteousness, or our own superior wisdom, or strength, or power, or numbers. It was simply because you loved us, and chose to show us that love in Jesus.

As you have accepted us when we did not deserve your love, will you help us to accept those whom we find it hard to love? Forgive us, O Lord, for any attitude that we harbor that on any level sees ourselves as better or more righteous than others. Will you help us to remove the barriers of prejudice and to tear down the walls of bigotry, religious or social? O Lord, help us realize that the walls that we erect for others only form our own prisons!

Will you fill us so full of your love that there is no more room for intolerance? As you have forgiven us much, will you enable us with your strength to forgive others even more? Will you enable us through your abiding Presence among us, communally and individually, to live our lives in a manner worthy of the Name we bear?

May we, through your guidance and our faithful obedience, find new avenues in ways that we have not imagined of holding the Light of your love so that it may be a Light of revelation for all people.

We thank you for your love, praise you for your Gift, ask for your continued Presence with us, and bring these petitions in the name of your Son, who has truly revealed your heart. Amen." - http://www.crivoice.org/cyepiph.html

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And there are the seven penitential Psalms, which are expressive of sorrow for sin..

Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 142 [New American Bible Revised Edition]
 6, 31, 37, 51, 102, 129, and 142 [Septuagint Bible]

Let me print one here, Psalm 6.  I like the Septuagint version with the older English.  There is just something more visceral and soul tapping with that language.

1 O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath, neither chasten me in thine anger. 2 Pity me, O Lord; for I am weak: heal me, O Lord; for my bones are vexed. 3 My soul also is grievously vexed: but thou, O Lord, how long? 4 Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: save me for thy mercy’s sake. 5 For in death no man remembers thee: and who will give thee thanks in Hades? 6 I am wearied with my groaning; I shall wash my bed every night; I shall water my couch with tears. 7 Mine eye is troubled because of my wrath; I am worn out because of all my enemies.

8 Depart from me, all ye that work iniquity; for the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping. 9 The Lord has hearkened to my petition; the Lord has accepted my prayer. 10 Let all mine enemies be put to shame and sore troubled: let them be turned back and grievously put to shame speedily.


image - http://www.dodekanissaweb.gr/info/cleanmonday.html
http://catholicism.about.com/od/catholicliving/ig/Wordless-Wednesday-Gallery/Ash-Wednesday-2008.htm
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