Monday, February 1, 2010

As Lent Approaches

Every year around this time I begin thinking about what book or devotional I would like to pray with during the 40 days of Lent. Coupled with the tradition of "giving up something" for Lent, I have found that adding something to my prayer time to be quite fruitful. I know that there are many devotionals out there that are specifically tied into the daily Mass readings for Lent or contain collections of the writings of the Saints or Popes. I remember a couple years back, I set aside a particular time each day to prayerfully read through the Book of Exodus. I found that reading through Exodus during the Lenten season helped me to come to a greater understanding of the new Exodus (Luke 9:31) of Jesus, particularly during Holy Week.

So, do you have any recommendations? Do you have any traditions which you return to each Lent?

6 comments:

jogomu said...

http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/books-1-2/spirituality/frederica-mathewes-green-first-fruits-of-prayer-a-forty-day-journey-through-the-canon-of-st-andrew.html

rolf said...

I use 'Biblical Meditations for Lent' by Carroll Stuhlmueller, C.P.
They follow the Lectionary and meditate on the daily and Sunday readings. He also has other books for the rest of the Lectionary year.

During Lent I try to eat less and I don't have desert of any kind, except on Sunday. When I crave something that I can't have, it always makes me think to why I am doing this in the first place.

I guess I could write a Lenten diet book and make millions, but I guess that would not be in the spirit of Lent.

Anonymous said...

The Great Lent: A Journey To Pascha by Alexander Schmemann. It is Eastern Orthodox (Schmemann was Russia to France to America priest and leader of a seminary in New York.) But, after all, Pope JPII said we need to breathe with both lungs - east and west. But you will need to begin reading it with the Gesima Sundays (Pre-Lent).

Jonathan said...

There's a Saints Devotional Edition of the NJB. I'm going to check it out from my local library.

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