Ash Wednesday

A Self-Directed Reflection from
The St. Joseph Retreat Center
with Anne Louis De Palo

As we prepare for Easter, the St. Joseph Retreat Center will be sharing weekly reflections during Lent. Thank you for joining us on this journey. We look forward to hearing from you in this time of fasting and reflection.

TIME FOR A RESET

"Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

Joel 2:12 – "Even now says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, with weeping, and mourning."

Psalm 51:12 – "A clean heart create for me, O God, and steadfast spirit renew within me."

Psalm 51:14 – "Give me back the joy of your salvation."

2 Corinthians 5:21 – “So that we become the righteous of God in Him."

Matthew 6:18 – "Your Father, who sees what is hidden, will repay you."

Lent seemed to creep up on me this year. Just as I was settling into ordinary time, praying and meditating on what it means to be a disciple of Christ; Mother Church thrusted me into the Penitential Season of Lent. Are we up for the challenge?

As we receive ashes placed on our forehead in the form of a cross, I hear the words, "Remember you are dust, and to dust you will return."

At the beginning of Advent, we are called to confront our death, end times, and eternity as we prepared for the arrival of Christ. Again, we are called to remember and face our own death. Ashes represent our mortality. There is no life in ground up ashes. At death, our bodies are lifeless, only our soul survives. Eternity awaits. We hope to realize “the joy of salvation,” Psalm 51:14, but will we? Lent gives us the opportunity to answer this question?

The readings invite us “to return to God with our whole heart,” Joel 2:12; and “to become righteous” 2 Corinthians 5:21 – and, in Psalm 51, the psalmist prays for a clean heart, a renewed spirit, and the promise of the joy of salvation. In Matthew 6, Jesus shares how to prepare for eternity: give alms, fast, and pray – the three pillars of Lent.

Lent gives us the opportunity to examine our lives, renew our relationship with Jesus, and see where our choices are not aligned with Christ. It is a time for a reset. Perhaps Pope Benedict the XVI explains – "Jesus shows us the face of God, and in so doing, He shows the path we have to take." This is the path of holiness. Where are you on this path?

Perhaps the approach to this Lent is to meditate and pray on the three pillars of Lent. Where are you lacking and what do you need to renew? Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are the keys. Where do you most need to nurture, or what do you need to eradicate from your life to align yourself to Christ? These keys can open the door to greater holiness and spiritual growth. We can never plateau in the spiritual life; we must keep searching and moving closer to Christ.

Let's look at the opportunities the Pillars give to us:

PRAYER

Does your relationship with Christ need more time, attention, and intimacy? If so, focus on prayer for the next 40 days. Spend some time in silence, meditate on scripture, pray, read scripture, attend a retreat, and visit the Blessed Sacrament or attend adoration. Every relationship needs energy, presence, and nourishment. Perhaps try something different from your normal prayer practice. Be open to something new.

ALMS GIVING

Are you reluctant to give away your time, money, talents, and very self? If so, concentrate on alms giving. Try and donate to charity, make a sizeable monetary donation to a charity or make a small donation every day of Lent, serve at a soup kitchen, go through your closet and home and give away something every day. Practice generosity. What resonates with you? Open your heart.

FASTING

Are you having difficulty overcoming a bad habit, an addiction? Or is your life full of worldly attractions? Are you overly busy? Do you lack self-control? Are you complacent? If any of these are relevant, fasting may be the answer. When we fast we open ourselves to God, think less of ourselves and our own comfort and then we will be more inclined to help others. Perhaps fast by skipping a meal, giving up something that you will truly miss or "hurts" to do without– whether it be alcohol, coffee, social media, binge watching, gaming, gambling – you know what will best discipline your mind, body, and spirit. The purpose of fasting is to hunger for God and to discipline our will and our bodies.

First Sunday of Lent
A Self-Directed Reflection from

The St. Joseph Retreat Center
with Anne Louis De Palo

As we prepare for Easter, the St. Joseph Retreat Center will be sharing weekly reflections during Lent. Thank you for joining us on this journey. We look forward to hearing from you in this time of fasting and reflection.

The First Sunday of Lent

WHAT TEMPTS YOU?

Genesis 3:3-4. God said, "You shall not eat it or even touch it, or else you will die." But the snake said, "You certainly will not die."

Psalm 51:12 "A clean heart create for me O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me."

Romans 5:18- 19, "Through one righteous, acquittal, and life came to all for just as through the disobedience of the one the many will be made righteous."

Matthew 4:1, "At that time, Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil."

On this first Sunday of Lent and every Lent, we hear the passage of Jesus going into the desert and encountering the devil. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us, "During Lent, the Church unites herself each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desert and Christ vanquished the Tempter for us." Catechism 540.

In the readings today, we are reminded that during our pilgrimage here on earth we will be tempted as Jesus was, but to have no fear as Christ overcame the devil, and so can we through His love, mercy, and grace. We must pray and ask Jesus for help when we are tempted. Temptation is defined as the desire to engage in short term, often harmful urges that conflict with long term goals or moral principles. The Catechism defines temptation "as an attraction, either From within or an external source, to act against right reason and the commandments of God." (538,2846-2849). It is an invitation to sin. The temptation or desire alone is not a sin unless it is acted on or succumbed to.

David wrote Psalm 51 after he was overcome with contrition and sorrow for not resisting temptation and he begs for God's forgiveness after he was confronted about his adultery with Bathsheba and the conspiracy to murder her husband Uriah. David pleads with God for a steadfast spirit and to give him a clean heart after giving into the temptation which led to grave sin and loss of God's favor.

How are we tempted? We need only look at our parents, Adam and Eve. In Genesis, we see how God told Adam and Eve not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, or they would surely die. However, Eve did not obey. Eve doubted her Creator and the source of life. She and Adam did not remain steadfast and true and chose their will over that of God. She believed the lie of the devil, "That you certainly will not die." They committed the sin of pride. How wrong Eve was to believe the lie and how we have paid the price for their disobedience with original sin and loss of eternity with God. Every time we choose our will over God's will, a piece of us dies. Jesus, however, rescued us from this fate and offered Himself as a ransom for our salvation. Without sacrifice there is no true love.

We die when we turn away from God who is the source of life. Conversion means turning towards God and a return to life. Jesus was tempted by the devil with the promises of pleasure, pride and power. Which of these vices do you struggle with? What tempts you? What is your idol? What is keeping you from saying yes to live the way Jesus lived and follow the Commandments and Jesus's teachings in every aspect of your life? Each one of us has our own weaknesses and tendencies to sin. Awareness and continuing the struggle is the key to holiness. St. Philip Neri said, "Where there is no mortification there is no real sanctity."

Lent calls us to pray, fast and give alms so we can win each battle of temptation which will continue our entire lives. In prayer ask for Christ's mercy and grace, to walk more closely with Him, and overcome temptation so we can love as He loves and help redeem the world.

Second Sunday of Lent - March 1^st 

PACK YOUR BAGS AND GO

Genesis 12:1 "Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk … to a land I will show you."

Psalm 33 "All his works are trustworthy."  

2 Timothy 1:8B "Beloved, 'Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with strength that comes from God.'"

Matthew 17:9 "Listen to him." “Rise and do not be afraid."

On the second Sunday of Lent, the readings share a distinct theme of surrender, trust, and relying solely on the Lord.  As we live our lives and as we journey through Lent, we look to resurrection and new life.  We, like Abraham, must leave behind the past, begin anew each day and trust “all the workings of God” as the Psalmist writes in Psalm 33.  This is a daunting task, but we are not alone, and Christ is there to help us.  

You may be like me.  I get excited about beginning a new project or taking on something new.  Then I cringe thinking of what I need to do to accomplish it.  Likewise, I love to travel, but I also think about the “three P's” of travel which I do not relish:  plan, pay, and pack.  This is accompanied by the stress and anxiety of getting there whether it be by flying, driving, or sailing.  However, once I decide and get there I forget about the angst and doubt and am glad. 

Our spiritual life and Lent are similar.  Pope Benedict XVI explains this so well in the following quote.  "The purpose of Lent is to keep alive in our consciousness our life; that being a Christian can only take the form of becoming a Christian anew.  It is a process requiring constant practice when such energy is not expended, there is no life.  Struggle against the tendency to lead just a vegetative life.  It takes effort to see beyond what is right in front of us and to free ourselves from what is directly pressing upon us." A satisfying and full life takes effort, awareness and determination.

Where do you need to begin anew? Where is God leading you? Are you ready to follow? Are you listening? Everyday Jesus walks with us.  He helps carry the burden of our cross and shares our joys.  Are we aware of his presence?  What is preventing you from the journeying with Christ

Maybe you are afraid of change or where God’s call will lead you. You are not alone as 2 Timothy 1:8B reminds us strength comes from God. “The way is a narrow way and in hardship we have God's grace, love, and unfathomable and endless mercy. Lent is about growing closer to Christ and encountering Christ's mercy. It is a return to the Father and to experience His love.”

In the Gospel of Matthew, the Father tells us to listen to Jesus, and Jesus tells us to rise and not be afraid.  We must rise every day and begin again.  And upon our death, we pray to hear these same words of Jesus to, “Rise and not be afraid.”

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT MARCH 8, 2026  

ARE WE THERE YET?

 "In those days, in their thirst for water, the people grumbled against Moses, saying, 'Why did you       ever make us leave Egypt?” Exodus 17:3

"Is the Lord in our midst or not?"  Exodus 17:7. 

 "O that today you hear his voice; harden not your hearts as at Meribah, as in the days of Massah in the desert where your fathers tempted me; They tested me though they had seen my works."  

 Psalm 95:8

 "Hope does not disappoint." Romans 5:5

 "Sir, give me this water so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water."  John 4:15

How is your Lent going?  Are you a little weary, thinking, are we there yet?  Have you been discouraged, not perfectly practicing your Lenten disciplines? Maybe you realize you took on too much. Welcome to the human race!  The readings today all remind us we are human, fallen, and we can become lukewarm, tired, slothful, and doubtful.  

In Exodus, even after God freed the Israelites from Egypt, when they became thirsty, and tired, they “forgot” all God's blessings, and wanted to return to the life they knew.  This looking back at the past reminds me of one of my favorite Frank Sinatra songs called "The World We Knew."  The lyrics perfectly capture this, "Over, and over, I keep going over of the world we knew."  It is so easy for us to be stuck or want to return to the past; especially when things are difficult or we encounter suffering.

In Psalm 95, the psalmist sings “not to harden our hearts”.  It is so easy to close off our hearts to God's grace, mercy, and love.  We are tempted, suffer, things do not go "our way", and bitterness, anger, and resentment can creep into our hearts, closing them off. 

Saint Paul, in Romans, reminds us of Christ's suffering and sacrifice for us.  He took up his cross to prove his love for us. ( Romans 5:8).  Paul, however, encourages us "Hope does not disappoint."  In the lines before this passage not included in the Sunday reading, Paul talks about how affliction produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and proven character produces hope.  

My Dad, God rest his soul, used to tell me, "The easy way is not always the right way, but it is worth it."  This is what Paul tells us, and what Jesus wants the Samaritan woman to understand.  At first, her initial reaction is to have the water to quench her thirst to avoid having to keep going back to the well. Jesus, however, gives her the gift of water to quench the thirst of her soul, and offers her the promise of eternal life if she accepts and follows Him. She will, however, have to live her life differently.

Jesus perfectly conformed to His Father's will, and we must do as well.  As Saint John Henry Newman said, each one of us has a specific purpose in God's plan.  We may not know what this is this side of heaven; however, it is important.  You matter, are loved, and a child of God. and God has a plan for you.

At times, we will be disappointed, discouraged, and wonder what God's plan is for us.  You may think, "Lord, I am faithful and practicing the three pillars of Lent.  I am going to Mass, doing what you told me  Why did this happen?” “Why do I feel this way?" "This is too hard."  Speak honestly to God about how you feel.  He is a loving Father, and Jesus has experienced everything that we could ever experience. He listens.

 How do we continue our spiritual journey in Lent and beyond?  Participate frequently in the Eucharist, which is our spiritual food.  Frequent the Sacrament of Reconciliation, attend Adoration, or sit in front of the Blessed Sacrament and pray. When you fall, and you will, "Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again," as the song by Jerome Kern encourages us to do.  

Pray for perseverance, a gift given by the Holy Spirit for our salvation.  Rely on God.  You can't do this alone.  Lent is not a self-help program.  Constantly ask for God’s help.  The saints all underwent the struggle, and their faithfulness and steadfastness are what made them saints.  They did not give up. Saint Philip Neri advised, "We must pray incessantly for the gift perseverance."  

You too can be a saint.  A saint from the Latin word "sanctus" means holy, set apart, and consecrated.  In conclusion, I leave you another one of my Dad's gems, "If it were easy everyone would do it."  

As you continue through Lent and beyond, it is not falling, but getting back up, that matters.  Christ is there to catch you when you fall and help you back up. Just ask. Remember nothing is impossible for God!

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT MARCH 15TH  

REJOICE ON ROSE SUNDAY

 1Samuel 16:12 “He was ruddy, a youth with beautiful eyes and good looking.  The Lord said, “There - anoint him, for this is the one."

One Samuel 16:13A "The spirit of the Lord rushed upon David."

Psalm 23, paragraph 6 "Only goodness and kindness follow me."

Ephesians 5: 8-9 "Live as children of light, the light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth."

John 9:5 “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

John 9:6 "Jesus made clay and opened his eyes.

As I opened my Magnificat to the daily readings, I saw that today was Laetare Sunday also known as Rejoice Sunday or Rose Sunday. This Sunday marks the midpoint of Lent.  My heart leapt for joy.  Today at Mass, there will be flowers on the altar, music, and rose-colored vestments.  

The days are now longer, and there are only five days left of winter.  This Sunday is called Rose Sunday.  Rose is a combination of purple for penance and white for joy.  Mother Church gives us a reprieve from the sober penitential season of Lent.  It is time to feed our souls with light, beauty, and hope before returning to our continued walk in the desert until we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord at Easter.  Laetare Sunday also holds a special tradition of the Papacy. The Pope gives a golden rose as a gift.  This dates to 1096 and possibly even to the 6^th century.  Once given to royalty and dignitaries for their support of the Church in more modern times the Rose is given to the Blessed Mother.  This year, Pope Leo the XIV presented the golden rose to the statue of Our Lady of Fatima on October 11, 2025, the anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun.

The readings have a common thread of light.  Our life is like our Lenten journey.  We have times when we are in darkness, perhaps we are carrying a burdensome cross, perhaps we are experiencing dryness, illness, grief, or doubt.  Then the Lord pours forth a consolation; or you take notice of a bird building a nest or as you walk along the ocean as the tide goes out and you experience a sense of awe or joy.  In today's reading, Jesus tells us He is the light of the world. He gives us healing of our spiritual and physical ills. In curing the blind man, He reaches down into the earth and makes clay as a salve for the blind man, healing him so he can “see.”  

The words I am the light of the world is well known, and light and darkness were frequent themes of Jesus’s teaching. The next line when the Lord says, “while I am in the world, “struck me.   This line reinforces how we must be children of light as Saint Paul says. The world can be dark, but we must bring light into it by our words, witness, and actions. Light produces every kind of goodness, righteousness and truth Ephesians 5:9.

We must share our light with others, bringing that light into the dark of places in our own lives and in our world.  We must choose and we like David are chosen.

Samuel finds David a handsome youth.  The word ruddy used to describe David means healthy, reddish, or fair complexion and often associated with youth and vitality.  It was a sign of beauty.  David is described as making a beautiful appearance.  Samuel anoints David to be the next king and the spirit rushes in for the task God has for him in salvation history. 

David knew as he wrote in Psalm 23 that with God only goodness, mercy, and kindness will follow him all the days of his life.  Even when we fall like David, or when we experience sorrow and pain, we know that God is our light and that He will guide us and walk with us. All “will be well,” as Julian of Norwich said, if we follow the light and trust in God's providence. We must follow Jesus who is the Way. Today as the Body of Christ let our eyes be opened to Christ's love and will for us. We are to be His feet, and hands as Saint Theresa of Avila said. 

 Every Lent, I listen to the soundtrack recording of Godspell. Some may guff, but it uplifts and restores my spirit. The songs that help me experience Lent are: Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord, All Good Gifts,  Day by Day, ( a prayer written in 13rth century by Saint Richard of Chichester.) and You Are the Light of the World  These songs embody penance, praise, and prayer. 

 You are the Light of the World (which I will be listening to today) captures Rose Sunday perfectly. The lines, “you've got to live right to be the light of the world” is a good refrain to remember as you begin Lent again on Monday.

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT MARCH 22

DO YOU BELIEVE?

Ezekiel, 37:14, "I have promised, and I will do it."

Psalm, 130, "I trust in the Lord; my soul trusts in his word."

Romans 8:11, "The one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also."

John 11:37, "Yes, Lord, I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the son of God."

The readings today left me uneasy; leading me to ask myself an unsettling question. "Do I believe and trust in the Lord? The word believe is defined as accepting something as true; feeling sure of the truth thereof; feeling sure someone is capable of doing something. Truth is defined as a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.

Ezekiel preached the words of the Lord and believed his people would be returned to the land of Israel, based solely on God's promise. The Psalmist in Psalm 130, sings of his trust in the Lord and how his soul trusts in his word. You can sense the depth of his trust and belief in God’s word to the very recesses of his soul.

Saint Paul preached of Christ being risen from the dead. The Father raised him, and he can raise us too if we believe, and follow the Spirit. Christ shows us to believe is also being obedient to that belief. Let’s look at Martha. Even though her brother, Lazarus laid dead in a tomb, she says that she believes, “ Jesus is the Christ, and the son of God.”

What faith! What trust! In prayer, I often put myself in the story as Saint Ignatius taught. I wonder if I would have reacted quite the same way Martha did. I often look at the saints and their undying faith and trust in the Lord in every circumstance. I ponder and pray to be more like them, especially Saint Joseph and the Blessed Mother. Their receptivity, surrender, and trust in God is inspiring, and what I want to emulate. I pray for this grace and ask for their intercession.

Saint Mary Mackellop said, "Do not let your troubles disturb your trust in God." And Saint Augustine wrote, "God is faithful." Sometimes we need to be remembered of this. God promises us eternal life if we believe and trust in him. Seems so easy but not so easy to live.

Someone who truly believes is steadfast, and true even in the face of hardship and trial. A belief in divine providence is necessary to advance in the spiritual life. We cannot do this alone by sheer will, but we need the grace of the Holy Spirit. We must choose but we need grace to be able to live it. When I become troubled I often think of the refrain from the song On Eagle’s Wings, “God holding us in the palm of His hand,” This song is based on Psalm 91.Pope Benedict describes faith in such a beautiful way that gives me comfort and encouragement, "Faith is an act of, and trusting oneself to God who is Father, and who loves me.

So today, take these questions to prayer. "Do you believe in God's promises? Do you believe that all that happens to you; the pain and the joy, is ultimately for our good, and salvation? Do you trust that Jesus is with you always.? Jesus may not to take away your cross, but he will walk with you and help you carry the burden. Do you believe you can have eternal life and be with God forever? Do you believe you can be a saint?

How can we answer yes to these questions? As the Billy Joel song goes, “It's a matter of trust!”

PALM SUNDAY MARCH 29

THE PASSION OF THE LORD A CROWD OF JOY!

"I have not rebelled, have not turned back."  Isaiah 50:5.

“O my help, hasten to aid me."  Psalm 22.

"Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God, something to be grasped."  Philippians 2:6.

"The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered” Matthew 26:19.

Palm Sunday brings back memories of fresh palms on the kitchen table, made into the shape of a cross, and the anticipation of Palm Sunday dinner.  The smell of the sauce or gravy, as some prefer, made its way through the house, this memory is real I can smell and taste it as I write.  I see myself in the kitchen on a stool at the stove, helping my mom and Grandma, carefully drop one ravioli at a time, into the pot of boiling water.  There was struffoli and cannoli on the counter in pastry boxes waiting to be opened.  After the scrumptious dinner, my sister and I would watch Jesus Christ Superstar. It was a tradition.

One of my favorite scenes from the movie was Jesus' entering Jerusalem to the song, Hosanna Hassana. The music captures the hope, joy, excitement and exuberance of the crowd as they dance and wave palms to the music. Everything seems perfect and everything will be fine.  Meanwhile behind the scenes and at a distance, the Pharisees are planning to trap and kill Jesus. In these scenes we see that we can and should enjoy times of celebration in our lives; but they do not last. C.S. Lewis once said, “Our Father refreshes us with some pleasant inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home.” Mother Church gives us the liturgical year which celebrates the pivotal moments of Jesus’s life and the life of the Church with its seasons Holy days, Solemnities and Feasts so we experience both joy and sorrow as we will in our lives.

 The good times and pleasure of the world are fleeting as can be seen from the next scene, during the song, the crowd sings, "Jesus, will you die for me?"  We know the answer to that question. Jesus celebrates but the cross awaits.  Our liturgy today begins with the Hosanna as Jesus enters Jerusalem and we end with the Passion.  Jesus, knowing what awaits him, continues to walk through Jerusalem onto the cross. In the next scene Jesus sings, neither the crowd, the Romans, the Pharisees, Scribes or Jerusalem itself, “Understand what power is understand what glory is, understands at all.”  

Do we understand the glory of God?  It is doing what you are called to do for and through Him with love. It is not based on our feelings, desires, or convenience.  Jesus demonstrates this in the Passion narrative and in His ministry.  Jesus follows the plan of the Father perfectly and instructs others to complete the tasks given to them.

  In the readings today, we see the path that Jesus will take and how obedient He is to the Father.  Jesus takes the next step, doing the next right thing.  Isn't that what we too are called to do?  To just do the next right thing, especially when we are called to mission, when we are stuck, in trouble, or overcome with grief or pain.  Like Jesus, we can depend on God to show us the way. If we follow, we will find true joy.  It is easy to wave palms and celebrate Palm Sunday, but it is not so easy to walk the way of the cross.  

When we have anything besides Christ Jesus as our compass, we can lose direction.  The crowd, the world, our friends, colleagues, and acquaintances, will not always lead us in the right direction or support us when we need it.  They might not understand the decisions we make, or how we live our faith.  Do not be deterred.  Follow Jesus.  Jesus was not influenced by anyone besides His Father.  We live by faith and works.  Jesus instructs us on how he wants us to build the kingdom of heaven.  In Matthew 21:2, the scripture reads, “the master has need of you."  Jesus will tell you what it is He needs from you, and what will lead you to live in eternity with Him.   It is not so easy to do; however, we must trust in God and to know that you can accomplish your mission with the help of God.  We are helpless without Him, and we must trust ourselves to divine providence.

Enjoy Palm Sunday, wave those palms, eat that delicious meal, and experience the joy of the day.  Holy Week awaits us, and we begin the way to the cross, but Easter awaits. The Way of the Cross brings you closer to Christ, and in suffering with Him, we become more like Him. We become more intimate with Him, and in so doing you will discover your true self.  If one meditates and gazes on crucifix, one's heart will be broken open, and you will receive the love of Christ.  You will receive love, be conformed to Christ and love Him and others.

I leave you with a refrain from Hosanna

 “For you are Bless-ed, there is not one of you who cannot win the Kingdom”