Lisa Hendey
How is your Lent going?
Mine seems interminable. Although this Lenten season has been filled with amazing blessings, there are some days when it feels as though the season will never end. When I have days like that, I try to unite my tiny, tiny “sufferings” with Christ, asking God to help me grow more Christlike in my words, deeds and thoughts. Pope Francis’ tweet from St. Patrick’s day gives me hope in the moments when things feel hopeless:
Let us allow God to fill our hearts with his goodness and mercy.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) March 17, 2015
When we allow God to fill our empty hearts with his goodness, we leave very little room for worry, stress, anger, impatience or envy. When his mercy permeates our being, it crowds out jealousy, frustration, self-pity, and greed. When I have Lenten days which feel like the glory of the Resurrection is darkened by suffering and despair, it is hope in the true meaning of the Cross that helps me to see the light. In these remaining days of Lent, as we journey ever closer to the truth of the passion of Christ, I am praying for the grace to truly embrace all that this season holds for me.
Will it be easy? No.
Will it be worth the effort. Definitely.
I’m grateful to my friend John Clem, O.F.S. for this week’s Top Catholic Tweets:
- Papal Tweet: “Let us allow God to fill our hearts with his goodness and mercy.” (Pope Francis March 17th)
- Pope Francis: Kids need values, hope from teachers; teachers need better pay | (NCR) ow.ly/KoGlZ
- Archdiocese of St. Louis starts a Saintly Madness Bracket ow.ly/KokFO
- Attack in Pakistan part of wave of anti-Christian violence, pope says (CNS) ow.ly/KoXY4
- ‘Family is not a fad’: Dolce & Gabbana spark firestorm in backing traditional marriage :: Catholic News Agency (CNA) ow.ly/KoZvC
- Francis: ‘Who are you to shut the door of mercy for someone?’ | National Catholic Reporter ow.ly/KrkFr
- Vatican: no papal endorsement for LGBT Catholic video :: Catholic News Agency (CNA) ow.ly/Kq90Q
- Video: Facts, myths about St. Patrick (CNS) ow.ly/KpIbr
- St.Brigid’s Beer Recipe (The Catholic Drinkie’s Guide to Homebrewed Evangelism by S. Vabulas) ow.ly/KrHn1
- The 2015 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress – the largest gathering of Catholics in N. America (America Media) ow.ly/KsXtO
- Concerns about Cremation: Some Very Strange Practices Are Emerging « Archdiocese of Washington ow.ly/Kt232
- Video: Historical look at church, immigration (CNS) ow.ly/Kt2sw
- Pope authorizes promulgation of miracle, heroic virtue (Vatican Radio) ow.ly/Ku5pD
- Pope recognizes miracle needed to declare parents of St Thérèse of Lisieux saints (Catholic Herald) ow.ly/KusjL
- St. Cyril and RCIA (Fr. Dan Kroger, OFM – American Catholic Blog) ow.ly/KudXP
- Jesus to St. Faustina on Spiritual Warfare: 25 Secrets (Kathleen Beckman – Catholic Exchange) ow.ly/KvQUA
- Want to see Michigan’s underwater crucifix? (USA Today) ow.ly/KvUli
- News Update: San Francisco cathedral sprinkler aimed for safety, not homeless :: Catholic News Agency (CNA) ow.ly/KvVw1
- The statue of St. Joseph that Pope Francis keeps in his room (Rome Reports) ow.ly/KwZ9k
- Saint Joseph Altar at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America ow.ly/Kxztx
- St. Teresa of Avila: St. Joseph, Wonder-Worker, Is Waiting to Bless You (NCR) ow.ly/KxAb3
- Pope Francis and the road map of a St. Joseph pontiff | National Catholic Reporter ow.ly/KypKb
- Virtual 3D Visit to Saint-Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal in Montreal (Congregation of Holy Cross) ow.ly/KyPCk
- 7 things every husband should ask from Saint Joseph (Catholic Link) ow.ly/KyPZD
- Tech Tips: 10 Inventions Revolutionizing the Lives of People With Disabilities | The Mighty ow.ly/Kx3W8
- Lenten dinners bring family closer together (The Catholic Review) ow.ly/Kx7pS
- Writings of Junípero Serra Edited by Antonine Tibesar, OFM 1955 (out of print) (Hathi Trust) ow.ly/Kx8Bu
- Music: Matt Maher’s NEW Album Saints and Sinners available + samples on his website ow.ly/Kxbfb
- Catholic-owned company wins ‘final victory’ against HHS mandate :: Catholic News Agency (CNA) ow.ly/KxzWD
- NEW Movie: “Do You Believe?”: Movie Challenges and Inspires (Lisa Hendey – Patheos) ow.ly/KxPTC
- Ascension Chapel Shrine at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America ow.ly/KyBxb
- Francis to lunch with prisoners, including those who are transgender, gay, or have AIDS | National Catholic Reporter ow.ly/KyEjq
- Meet the Oriental Orthodox Christians and Their Controversial Christology | Dr. Taylor Marshall ow.ly/KyELw
- Catholic advocates push Congress for a budget that protects poor people | National Catholic Reporter ow.ly/KyM2l
- The Beauty of God in Portugal: IMERSÃO by Morgan Jouquand ow.ly/KyVC8
- What Is Serenity and How Can We Grow in It? (Monsignor Charles Pope – Archdiocese of Washington) ow.ly/KzAHF
- Holy See highlights connection between feminine genius and solidarity (News.va) ow.ly/KzBqu
- This Protestant Researched Marian Miracles, & What He Learned Blew His Mind | ChurchPOP ow.ly/KzCua
- First Communion Retreat (Amazing Catechists) ow.ly/KzJdV
- Prayer Nuts – Intricately Carved Wooden Marvels from the 16th Century (Oddity Central) ow.ly/KzDvS
Year of the Consecrated Life
- Year of the Consecrated Life: An Inside Look at the Life of a Cloistered Nun – Aleteia ow.ly/KrBsg
- Year of the Consecrated Life: 10 Things You Gain By Entering Religious Life (Sister Shannon Fox, SSJ-TOSF) ow.ly/Kuv8a
John Clem, O.F.S is the Director and Media Minister at Catholic Web Services (http://catholicws.com/). John is a professed member of the Secular Franciscan Order, and loves to share his talents in faith, technology, and journalism in service to the church. John also writes a blog entitled Call To Holiness (http://www.calltoholiness.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In