st. thomas the apostle’s lenten ini a ve: personal journey · personal lenten journey to holy...

Ahead of you lies a great journey! This 6 session

Study Guide will walk you through your own

personal Lenten journey to Holy Week.

Why are we invi ng you to a Lenten Journey

that focuses exclusively on the Sunday

Scripture readings?

• Because in the Word of God we encounter

the One who alone can sa sfy our hearts! So

many are living without the strength of

knowing God’s Word.

• Because Father Bill and Father Tony are call-

ing our en re parish to develop the spiritual

habit of preparing the Sunday Readings. This

habit will increase our love for God, deepen

our recep vity at Mass, and equip us for real

life discipleship.

St. Thomas the Apostle’s

Lenten Ini a ve: Personal Journey

Resources for the Journey

This Study Guide (digitally available online at s5homasannarbor.org/lent)

Drawing from the ancient prac ce of Lec o Divina, this journey into the Sacred Scriptures will have

you prayerfully studying the readings for the upcoming Sunday. Father Tony has carefully drawn

together some essen al background informa on on each reading, allowing you to see the big

picture.

For each week of Lent you’ll follow a simple format beginning with a first reading of the background

informa on, First Reading, Psalm, Second Reading and Gospel. A:er a quick reflec on you’ll read

the Gospel for a second me before taking a longer period for personal reflec on with simple

ques ons. Next you’ll watch a brief video from Opening the Word (on formed.org) which focuses on

these readings. Finally, you’ll spend more me in prayer and applica on. Each week’s session will

probably take between 45 minutes and one hour.

Sunday Scripture Readings

Your Bible!

On your smartphone: Laudate App

On your computer: h5p://www.usccb.org/bible/Readings

Powerful & informa ve videos from Opening the Word,

available on Formed.org

Setup a free account on Formed.org using the Code

J8KTVM

The video for each upcoming Sunday will be on the

homepage of Formed.org a:er you login.

To access videos ahead of me, click STUDY, and scroll

down to Opening the Word Year B

Opening Prayer: Come Now Come Holy Spirit, come now, come as you wish. Amen.

First Reading of the Scriptures (Cita ons on next page) Background Info + First Reading

Responsorial Psalm

Background Info + Second Reading

Background Info + Gospel

First Impression:

What one word or phrase struck you

most a:er a first reading?

What ques ons were raised for you?

Second Reading of the Gospel Gospel

Personal Reflec%on (~5 min) What do these passages reveal about God, who He is?

What do these passages reveal about me, who I’m called to be?

What could I listen for at Mass this Sunday?

Opening the Word, Video from Formed.org (Account setup/login info on Page 2) Reflec%on Ques%ons:

When we see Lent as a me of entering into ba5le against evil for our souls, what role do

fas ng, prayer, and almsgiving play?

What connec ons do you see between Lent and your en re earthly life?

How can you live Lent in a way that will carryover into your normal, everyday life?

How will you answer Jesus’ call to “repent, and believe in the Gospel” this Lenten season?

Closing How do you think this me might assist you to par cipate more fully in the Mass this Sunday?

Closing Prayer

FirstSundayofLent:February18,2018

PersonalJourney

Find the readings in your Bible (cita%ons on next page), on your smartphone with the Laudate App, or on your browser

at h.p://www.usccb.org/bible/readings

Christ In The Wilderness by Briton Riviere

The First Reading: Genesis 9:8-15

Tradi onally ascribed to Moses, this would date Genesis to around 1500 years be-

fore the coming of Christ. However, the current scholarly consensus is that it exist-

ed in oral tradi on for about a thousand years before coming into its current form

about 500 B.C. In our first reading today, the story of Noah and the Flood is coming

to an end, and God is making his covenant with his people. This is the first cove-

nant of many explicitly named in the Old Testament. Covenant implies rela on-

ship, no ce what kind of rela onship God is now establishing with his people.

The Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22

Peter is likely wri ng this le5er from Rome during the reign of Nero in 62-63 A.D. He's wri ng

to a church undergoing persecu on (which would ramp up even more a:er the great fire in

Rome in 64 A.D., to which he himself would become a martyr). In our sec on, Peter connects

the story of Noah to bap sm. If we die with Christ, we shall also rise with Christ. Peter is ex-

hor ng us all to suffer in a godly way.

The Gospel: Mark 1:12-15

As we begin this season of Lent, this reading can help direct us to its purpose. Pay special

a5en on to the first line. "The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert". According to Thayer's

Greek Lexicon, this word is used in the sense, "to lead one forth or away somewhere with a

force which he cannot resist" (Strong #1544). Jesus couldn't resist his mission, to preach the

gospel and to undergo his passion for us.

FatherTony’sBackgroundInformationontheScriptures

FirstSundayofLent%Feb18&

Opening Prayer: Litany for Lent Christ, our Lord, you endured the agony in the garden to strength-

en us in prayer. Christ, have mercy. You carried your cross to save

us. Christ, have mercy. You were nailed to the cross to heal our

wounds of sin. Christ, have mercy. You died on the cross to bring

us eternal life. Christ, have mercy. You were raised to life so that

we could live with you for God. Christ, have mercy. Amen.

First Reading of the Scriptures Background Info + First Reading

Responsorial Psalm



First Impression:

What one word or phrase struck you

most a:er a first reading?





How might God be calling me to grow as His disciple?

Opening the Word, Video from Formed.org (Account setup/login info on Page 2) Reflec%on Ques%ons

God asked Abraham to give up everything for love of him. What are the things that compete

with God’s place in your heart? How could you offer those to God this Lenten season?

Ponder the aOtudes of Abraham, Isaac, and Jesus towards suffering. How does this change your

meaning view of suffering?

How can the ugliest act of mankind—the Cross—be beau ful? Think of your own life, par cularly

the sufferings. What beauty can you see there?

Closing What is one thing from this session that you want to keep processing this week?

Closing Prayer

SecondSundayofLent:February25,2018

PersonalJourney

Find the readings in your Bible (cita%ons are on the next page), on your smartphone with the Laudate App, or on your browser

at h.p://www.usccb.org/bible/readings

The Transfigura�on, by Raphael

The First Reading: Genesis 22:1-2, 9A, 10-13, 15-18

Tradi onally ascribed to Moses, this would date Genesis to around 1500 years be-

fore the coming of Christ. However, the current scholarly consensus is that it exist-

ed in oral tradi on for about a thousand years before coming into its current form

about 500 B.C. God loves making covenants with us. He does them so o:en, and

here we have the Abrahamic covenant. Last week, I asked you to reflect on what

this covenant implies about His rela onship with His people. Again, what does the

Abrahamic covenant imply about God's rela onship with His people? Pay a5en on

to the last line. "...all this because you obeyed my command."

The Second Reading: Romans 8:31B-34

Paul probably wrote Romans from Corinth in 57 A.D., which would put him on his 3rd Mission-

ary Journey. Chapters 5-8 are all about Chris an Hope. What do Chris ans put their hope in?

Not the emperor or themselves, but in the death and resurrec on of Jesus Christ. No power

that exists can overcome the power of God in Christ Jesus. God's covenant includes us, "...all

this because you obeyed my command."

The Gospel: Mark 9:2-10

No ce that Jesus is not just transfigured alone, but he is flanked by Moses and Elijah. We are

meant to think of the Law and the Prophets represented in these two individuals. But also

look at this in the context of our other two readings. God's covenant with us (Moses) and liv-

ing with Chris an hope (something many prophets proclaimed).


SecondSundayofLent%Feb25&

Opening Prayer: Spontaneous Prayer Offer the Lord a simple spontaneous prayer, offering Him your

needs and invi ng Him to be present in a par cular way here

with you at this very moment.


Responsorial Psalm



First Impression:

What one word or phrase struck you most

a:er a first reading?





How might God be calling me to grow in purity?


Is Jesus just in his anger? Why or why not?

The temple Jesus wants to purify is your heart and mind, for we all are temples of the Holy Spirit.

What in your life prevents you from being a pure temple? What would Jesus throw out?

The disciples a5ribute the words of Psalm 69:9 to Jesus: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

What does zeal mean to you? Do you share Christ’s zeal? How can you grow in zeal this Lent?

Closing What is one thing you will do this week to cul vate purity of heart?

Closing Prayer

ThirdSundayofLent:March4,2018

PersonalJourney

Find the readings in your Bible (cita%ons are listed on the next page), on your smartphone with the Laudate App, or on your browser at h.p://www.usccb.org/bible/readings

Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple, by El Greco

The First Reading: Exodus 20:1-17

Like Genesis, the da ng of Exodus is tricky because we are le: so few clues. Two

possibili es are that the exodus took place in either 1446 B.C. or in 1260 B.C. A

main theme of the whole book is that God fulfills the promises he made the patri-

archs in Genesis. God keeps His covenants. In our first reading, we are given the

Ten Commandments. This is how the na on of Israel is to keep their end of the

covenant and remain in rela onship with God. These remain true to this day.

The Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:22-25

Paul is wri ng to the Corinthians from Ephesus in 53-55 A.D. He spent three years

in Ephesus during his 3rd Missionary Journey. Corinth was considered the intersec on of cul-

ture in its day. Jews, Greeks, and Romans all lived together in the city known for its immorality

and decadence. It is in this context that Paul speaks directly and forcefully to the Corinthians,

reminding them why they as Chris ans are different than the people around them. Not just

different, but fulfilled in a way those without God cannot be.

The Gospel: John 2:13-25

None of what we as Chris ans do is for an ins tu on or a dead set of laws. We are Chris an

because of our rela onship with the God of love. Our obedience to the Law is supposed to be

the founda on of our rela onship with God. But if our obedience to the Law is corrupted, so

is our rela onship with God. No ce near the end when Scripture says that the disciples came

to believe him a:er experiencing his Resurrec on. This is the founda on for our restored rela-

onship with God.


ThirdSundayofLent%Mar4&

Opening Prayer: Come Holy Spirit Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire

of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You

shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy

Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy

Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consola%ons,

Through ChristOur Lord, Amen.


Responsorial Psalm



First Impression:

What one word or phrase struck you most

a:er a first reading?





Where might I be hiding from the light of Christ?


What do you think of the presenter’s defini on of God’s wrath– leOng us have it our way?

Do you know of a me when you rejected God to follow your own ideas? If so, how did it turn

out? When you realized that you had taken the wrong path in rejec ng God, how did you feel

when you turned back to Him?

Is there a place in your life that you are looking to follow your own path (be in control) rather

than God’s plan?

Closing What is one thing you will do this week to cul vate docility towards God and His plans?

Closing Prayer

FourthSundayofLent:March11,2018

PersonalJourney

Find the readings in your Bible (cita%ons are listed on the next page), on your smartphone with the Laudate

App, or on your browser at h.p://www.usccb.org/bible/readings

Study for Nicodemus Visi�ng Jesus, by Henry Tanner

The First Reading: 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23

Likely compiled around 400 years before the coming of Christ, Chronicles covers a large span

of me; from 1010 B.C. and the founda on of the Davidic monarchy to 538 B.C. and the de-

cree of Cyrus ending the Babylonian Exile. This reading is the very end of 2 Chronicles and the

decree of Cyrus, King of Persia, to end the Exile. No ce how his decree is worded. "All the

kingdoms of the earth the LORD, the God of heaven, has given to me."

The Second Reading: Ephesians 2:4-10

Assuming the le5er to the Ephesians was wri5en by Paul himself (as there is some debate as

to whether Paul is the author or not), it was wri5en no earlier than 62

A.D., while imprisoned in Rome. No ce how easily Paul can speak of

God's mercy and grace. His own powerful experience of God provides a

beau ful tes mony to Chris an hope.


Jesus references the Old Testament story from Numbers 21:4-9. During

the Exodus, the people once again become impa ent and begin to com-

plain. God sends fiery serpents who bit many Israelites, who then died. Moses pleads to God

to end the punishment, and God tells Moses to create and li: up a bronze serpent, so that all

who see it will live. Interes ng side fact, that is why the serpent on a pole is a common sym-

bol found on an ambulance.


FourthSundayofLent-LaetareSunday%Mar11&

The fourth Sunday of Lent is rather unique; like the third Sunday of Advent ("Gaudete Sunday"), the fourth

Sunday of Lent is a break in an otherwise peniten%al season. The vestments for this day will be rose, as they

are on Gaudete Sunday in Advent, and flowers may adorn the Altar. This day is called "Laetare Sunday" (also

"Rose Sunday" ), and takes its name from the opening words of the Mass, the entrance an%phon- "Laetare,

Jerusalem". This draws from Isaiah 66:10-11: “Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who

were in mourning; exalt and be sa%sfied at her consoling breast.” On Laetare Sunday the Church givies us a

foretaste of Easter joy as we approach the darkness Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Jesus Christ is risen from

the dead, and our hearts will always be filled with joy!

Opening Prayer: One Decade of the Rosary Bring your inten ons to the Blessed Mother through a single decade

of the Rosary.


Responsorial Psalm



First Impression:

What one word or phrase struck you most?





How might God be calling me to bring others to Him?


The presenter shared that in this passage Jesus is reminding Himself of His own purpose in

coming to “this hour”. How does this Gospel passage shed light on your purpose?

In Lent the Church invites us to celebrate and rediscover what our lives are about, ul mately.

How is your Lenten journey illumina ng that for you?

What does it mean to you when we pray in the psalm “Create a clean heart in me O God” ?

Thinking of how things are in your life now, where do you need God to create a clean heart and

a willing spirit in you? How has Lenten penance helped you in this regard?

Closing With the end of Lent in sight, what is one resolu on you can make for this week to recommit to your

Lenten journey?

Closing Prayer

FifthSundayofLent:March18,2018

PersonalJourney



We Would See Jesus, by James Tissot

The First Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34

Jeremiah was called to be a prophet in the year 627 B.C. and was a prophet for over

40 years. This passage is an incredible important moment in the Old Testament.

This is the only me that the words, "new covenant" are used. The next me we'll

see those words, Jesus will be saying them at the Last Supper (Ma5hew 26:28, Luke

22:20). "I will place my law within them" is given a new meaning a:er the Last Sup-

per.

The Second Reading: Hebrews 5:7-9

Probably wri5en between 60 and 70 A.D. In 70 A.D. the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed,

and the book seems to assume that Temple worship is s ll an ongoing reality. An important

theme of the book of Hebrews is Jesus Christ as High Priest who uniquely offers himself in sac-

rifice. Pay a5en on to how Jesus becomes the source of eternal salva on for all who obey

him.


"The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified". Pay a5en on to the power in those

words. All of Salva on History prepared us for this moment. The hour has now come, Jesus is

going to fulfill his mission as the High Priest - the one who offers sacrifice and is the sacrifice.


FifthSundayofLent%Mar18&

Opening Prayer: Prayer Before Reading the Scriptures Lord, inspire me to read your Scriptures and to meditate upon

them day and night. I beg you to give me real understanding of

what I read, that I in turn may put its precepts into prac%ce. Yet, I

know that understanding and good inten%ons are worthless, un-

less rooted in your graceful love. So I ask that the words of Scrip-

ture may also be not just signs on a page, but channels of grace

into my heart. Amen. (Origen, 184-253 AD)

Reading of the Gospel (~20 minutes) Background Info + Gospel of Our Lord’s Passion

(This is a longer reading- you may wish to light a candle or find a

par cularly quiet place to enter into the Passion.)

Personal Reflec on on the Gospel (~5 minutes) What does the Passion reveal about God, who He is?

With whom do I most iden fy with in this passage?

How might Jesus be invi ng me to share in his sufferings, within the circumstances of my own life?


Reflec ng on your Lenten journey, what were some of the ups and downs of trying to keep your

resolu ons?

What were some of the evident graces for you during this season? Some ways that the Lord has

been ac ng in your life?

Within the Gospel account, what examples of good inten ons gone awry do you see? What

were the reasons they were not kept?

As we turn to look ahead to Holy Week, are there any barriers in your life that might distract you

from remembering Jesus’ death and resurrec on?

Closing What is one beau ful thing you can do to express your love for God this week?

Closing Prayer

SixthSundayofLent:March25,2018

PersonalJourney



Entry into Jerusalem, by Hippolyte Flandrin

(If Time Allows)

The First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7

The historic Isaiah lived from 740 - 701 B.C. This is in the second of three

sec ons of Isaiah. This sec on takes place in the 6th century B.C. The peo-

ple of Israel are already in Exile. This is the third of four Suffering Servant

passages. The servants voca on is to suffer for the people and to bear the

guilt of the na on. So, who is the Suffering Servant? Nothing fits perfectly

un l all is fulfilled on the cross.

The Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11

Likely wri5en in 62 A.D. As Paul is nearing the end of his life, he is able to eloquently

reflect on the passion and death of Jesus. Pay par cular a5en on to the kenosis of Je-

sus; this is the emptying of himself, poured out in his passion for our sake. As Paul is an-

%cipa%ng his own execu%on, he is trying to encourage the people of Philippi to imitate

Jesus in the same way.

The Gospel: Mark 14:1-15:47

Take the full story in. Close your eyes and just listen. Imagine yourself at the scene. Perhaps

you're an apostle, perhaps you're an onlooker who does not fully comprehend what is hap-

pening in front of you. What does Jesus look like? What is his demeanor? Do you shout

"Crucify him!" with everyone else? When the day is over, do you simply go home? Will you

today?


PalmSundayoftheLord'sPassion%Mar25&

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