Saturday: First Week of Lent

The devil said to him,
“I shall give to you all this power and glory; 
for it has been handed over to me,  
and I may give it to whomever I wish. 
All this will be yours, if you worship me.”
Jesus said to him in reply,
“It is written:
You shall worship the Lord, your God,
and him alone shall you serve.”

Luke 4: 6-8

People of faith from all religious traditions and people of good will who do not have a faith perspective all need to come together in a sincere desire and concerted effort to make this world a better place….To respect the beauty of all creation and in particular the high point of creation: human beings.                                                                            

In the love of Jesus, 

Father Lenny Zamborsky  

July 9, 2006

For Reflection:

Jesus counters the devil’s focus on power and glory with his own priority: worship and service of God. 

In what concrete ways are people today serving God by making this world a better place? 

How might you/we do this in a special way during Lent?

Friday: First Week of Lent

The devil said to him,

“If you are the Son of God, 

command this stone to become bread.”

 Jesus answered him,  

“It is written, One does not live on bread alone.” 

Luke 4: 3 

The cycle of the liturgy, like the seasons of nature, can add meaning and perspective and perhaps give strength in the times of challenge.    

In the love of Jesus, 

Father Lenny Zamborsky  

November 26, 2006

For Reflection:

Do liturgical seasons, feasts, or Scripture readings nourish you and keep your spiritual life alive? 

How have you planned to let God nourish you during this Lenten season? 

Thursday: First Week of Lent

Filled with the Holy Spirit, 
Jesus returned from the Jordan 
and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days,  
to be tempted by the devil.                

Luke 4:1

While physical ailments can be seen at times as demons, spiritual, mental and emotional wounds are perhaps even more clearly identified as the ‘demons.’  When one is caught by a sense of guilt, remorse or shame that is hard to let go of, it certainly seems like demons, robbing the individual of joy and inner peace….

The greatest healing of course is the peace one experiences in difficult times, if that individual knows without a doubt that God loves them, is with them, and will help them to rise above whatever suffering they are experiencing.        

In the love of Jesus, 

Father Lenny Zamborsky  

October 22, 2006

For Reflection:

How does the devil or demons tempt you or rob you of joy and inner peace?

Wednesday: First Week of Lent

No one who believes in him will be put to shame.  

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek;  

the same Lord is Lord of all, 

enriching all who call upon him. 

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”                 

Romans 10:13

All Christians believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior, His gospel as the blueprint for good, fruitful and happy living, and the guidebook to eternal life. Catholics add to that a very rich and profound understanding of Sacrament….The belief that Jesus is truly present in the Sacraments leads to the recognition of how very blessed, gifted and loved God’s people are.

In the love of Jesus, 

Father Lenny Zamborsky  

September 17, 2006

For Reflection:

How might you use this season of Lent to renew your personal relationship with Jesus, Lord and Savior, and your appreciation of Jesus’ presence in the sacraments?

Tuesday: First Week of Lent

R. Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.

Because he clings to me, I will deliver him; 

I will set him on high because he acknowledges my name.  

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; 

I will be with him in distress; 

I will deliver him and glorify him.                       

Psalm 91: 14-15

“Chill out”  refers to the need to take a deep cleansing breath to calm and settle oneself in times of stress and anxiety….Being aware of God’s love and God’s presence in times of difficulty and consciously turning to that presence in graciousness is indeed a significant way to “chill out.”  

In the love of Jesus, 

Father Lenny Zamborsky  

July 16, 2006

For Reflection:

What prayer and/or what kinds of prayer help me when I am in distress? 

What else helps me in times of stress and anxiety?

Monday: First Week of Lent

He brought us out of Egypt 

with his strong hand and outstretched arm…. 

He gave us this land flowing with milk and honey. 

Therefore I have now brought you the first fruits of the products of the soil 

which you, O Lord, have given me.   

Deuteronomy 26:10

For Christian people, during hard, painful or miserable times of life, it is often amazing how the God who has called will bless the work of the heart and hands, even when that individual feels like he or she has little or nothing to offer. 

 

In the love of Jesus, 

Father Lenny Zamborsky  

August 6, 2006

 

For Reflection:

Have you, or someone you know or have read about, experienced how God blesses the work of your heart and hands during the hard times of life?

Sunday: First Week of Lent

Moses spoke to the people saying: 

The priest shall receive the basket from you 
and shall set it in front of the altar of the Lord, your God. 
Then you shall declare before the Lord, your God, 

"...When the Egyptians maltreated and oppressed us, 
imposing hard labor upon us, 
we cried to the Lord, the God of our fathers, 
and he heard our cry…"

 Deuteronomy 26: 4

When the priest says, “Lift up your hearts,” it is an invitation….The congregation is encouraged to bring before the good and loving God whatever at the specific time may be in their hearts.  Whether it is sadness, joy, worry, gratitude or any other concern, all that is in their hearts can be lifted to God." 

In the love of Jesus, 

Father Lenny Zamborsky  

May 21, 2006

For Reflection:

When has the Lord heard your cry? 

What is currently in your heart that you want to “declare before the Lord,” or “lift up to the Lord?”