RESTORE 2024

First Meeting:

Introduction and Week of Ash Wednesday

  • RESTORE

    FIRST MEETING: INTRODUCTION AND WEEK OF ASH WEDNESDAY

    Opening Prayer:

    Heavenly Father, we pray that as we begin this Lenten journey together in preparation for your Son’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection, you would fill our hearts with repentance, healing, and hope. As we read, reflect, and pray- individually throughout the weeks ahead and together in these meetings- may we be drawn ever closer to your precious Son, with hearts full of thanksgiving for his sacrificial love for us. Bless our conversations, and may we take what we learn here into our daily lives this Lenten season.

  • Scripture Reading:

    Joel 2:12-18

    12 “Yet even now,” declares the LORD,

    “Return to Me with all your heart,

    And with fasting, weeping, and mourning;

    13 And tear your heart and not merely your garments.”

    Now return to the LORD your God,

    For He is gracious and compassionate,

    Slow to anger, abounding in mercy

    And relenting of catastrophe.

    14 Who knows, He might turn and relent,

    And leave a blessing behind Him,

    Resulting in a grain offering and a drink offering

    For the LORD your God.

    15 Blow a trumpet in Zion,

    Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly,

    16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation,

    Assemble the elders,

    Gather the children and the nursing infants.

    Have the groom come out of his room

    And the bride out of her bridal chamber.

    17 Let the priests, the LORD’S ministers,

    Weep between the porch and the altar,

    And let them say, “[a]Spare Your people, LORD,

    And do not make Your inheritance a disgrace,

    With the nations jeering at them.

    Why should those among the peoples say,

    ‘Where is their God?’”

    Deliverance Promised

    18 Then the LORD [b]will be zealous for His land,

    And [c]will have compassion for His people.

  • 1. In the scripture reading, how does the prophet Joel describe God’s loving mercy for his people when they turn to him in prayer and repentance? How does this make you feel as you begin this Lenten journey of prayer?

    2. Do you find it easy or difficult during Lent to focus on prayer and repentance in preparation for the celebration of Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection? What are some practices or traditions that you have found helpful? What are some of the challenges that make it difficult?

    3. Just as Joel reflects on God’s concern and pity for his people, Sr. Miriam reflects on God’s Misericordia, in which “the heart of God enters into our misery.” How does God’s action of coming himself in the person of Jesus, who experienced the weakness, suffering, and hardships of human life, exceed even Joel’s descriptions of God’s love for us? How might this knowledge inspire and transform you in your prayer encounters with Jesus this Lent?

  • Heavenly Father, as enter into this holy Lenten season, send your Holy Spirit to guide our hearts into an encounter with your Son, who through his life, suffering, death and resurrection shows us your immense merciful love for each one of us. In our sinfulness, give us healing, and in our suffering, give us comfort. Transform our hearts through prayer, fasting and almsgiving and lead us into closer union with Jesus. Amen