A new resource from Evangelisation Brisbane
Evangelisation Brisbane has developed a new Lent and Easter Octave reflection resource called The Spirit and the Cross.
Written for busy individuals but easily adapted for groups, each day includes a scripture reading, a reflection upon it, some questions to aid prayer and discussion, and quotes from Pope Francis.
The daily reflections, written by the Executive Director, Deacon Peter Pellicaan, invite the reader to contemplate a verse from the Scripture reading of the day, and offers questions for reflection and discussion.
Recently, Deacon Peter responded to some questions about Lent and the Lenten resource.
Have you thought about what you’re going to give up for Lent?
I once gave up lunch, and that made for a long Lent… but another time I gave up coffee, and that made it even longer! Perhaps I’ll give up work for Lent, or maybe paying bills. In all seriousness though, often we think about Lent in terms of what we give up, and yet we’re called not only to fast, but also to prayer and to alms giving… So perhaps we should ask ourselves, what will we do this Lent to help us draw deeper into the mystery of Christ’s suffering?How can we become more like Jesus this Lent?
I think it’s pretty easy for Catholics to have a lukewarm Lent year in year out if they don’t make an effort. What keeps you motivated for Lent each year?
As someone who did not grow up in the Catholic tradition and therefore without a liturgical calendar, I’ve had to learn how to engage in Lent. The motivator for me is at the core a deep and personal love for Jesus. It is Jesus who inspires me and gives purpose to all that I do. This love for Christ motivates me to more closely walk with Jesus on his journey to the cross.
Why should your typical time-poor Catholic pick up this book? How long would it take them to complete each day?
The reflections are short and can be read in about three minutes each morning. Why take the time to read it? Because it will help us to engage with Jesus on our journey to Easter. Three minutes can be enough to focus our minds and open our hearts to what God might do in our lives each day. Spending time with God each day is like a low risk but high return investment. Giving God an opportunity to break into our busy schedules for a few minutes each day can produce many benefits and blessing for the rest of the day. It’s like giving God our 5 loaves and 2 fishes… if Jesus can feed 5000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish, he can move throughout your whole day if you can just give him some of it!
What advantage does an individual have by using this resource instead of going through Lent their own way?
When we do spirituality our own way too often, we can become myopic in our understanding of God. We only hear our own insights and become our own echo chamber. All of us have a different experience of God and therefore different insights to offer about God. We are God’s children. As a father of 5 children myself, I know that I have different relationships with each of my children. All 5 of my children can tell you something different about me. In the same way, we all can share different insights about God. As such, we always do well to listen to each other’s insights. A Lenten resource like this will help readers hear a different voice and a different experience of God.
What benefits do you see in group prayer and reflection, especially with this resource available?
Spiritual formation almost always happens best in community. The Church is by definition a community – the gathering. Groups who use this resource through Lent will be able to go even deeper with its context because not only will they read it as individuals, but they will reflect on it with others which will highlight what others took from the various reflections. Doing it as a group is a real bonus – an opportunity to grow together.
What insights or experiences would you like participants to bring from the program into Easter?
Simply that all the baptised are called to become more like Jesus. My prayer is that those who engage with The Spirit and the Cross grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus, and become a little more like Jesus.
For more information go to: www.lentprogram.com.au or contact Evangelisation Brisbane on 07 3324 3440
