The fourth week of Lent:
Sunday, March 10 through Saturday, March 16, 2024

As we get closer to Holy Week, this is a good time to focus more deeply on Scripture. There are many resources online to help you do this in a meaningful way. But the important thing is to commit to reading and reflection on a Scripture story each day of the week. Before you read, make sure to quiet yourself as we experienced early in this journey of grace and mercy. Open your heart and see what message you might find within the Scripture you select; a message that speaks directly to your personal story with God. You might turn to each day’s Mass readings found on the pages of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Or perhaps you will find inspiration in some of the readings that will be proclaimed at the Easter Vigil.

Easter Vigil Readings:
First Reading
Second Reading
Third Reading
Fourth Reading
Fifth Reading
Sixth Reading
Seventh Reading

We each have our own stories. But it is a good challenge to be in solidarity with others’ stories. Here are some ways to accomplish this:

• Sleep on floor to be in solidarity with homeless
• Drink only water (or milk for growing bodies) to be in solidarity with those who don’t have safe drinking water
• Do not purchase anything for yourself (except absolute necessities) to be in solidarity with those who live on less than $2 per day.

Share stories. This always needs to be age-appropriate. Little ones are used to the wonder of this kind of sharing. Teens may need encouragement to push through what it takes to be vulnerable enough with others to share. On the other hand, parents, grandparents and the elderly are usually anxious to share their stories. What kinds of opportunities can you create to make this sharing possible this week?