Hold Us in Your Mercy
How to Prepare for the Lenten Season
The Christmas season flies by into ordinary time, and soon we will find ourselves at the foot of Lent getting ashes on our foreheads on the one Wednesday Mass we can make work. Before you fall victim to the rush of the new year, take the time to prepare yourselves and your families for the most impactful season in the Church.
The Lenten Season
As Catholics, we get the reminder that we will return to Ashes and our spirit will be reborn in the Kingdom of Heaven, but practically, how do you make this work in between picking up the kids from soccer practice? The Lenten season challenges us to find the moments for quiet reflection to build habits of prayer, to focus on our almsgiving, and to partake in the spiritual feast of fasting. That’s a lot to get done in 40 days. Don’t be afraid to start early and to build a plan so that you can feel renewed this Easter.
Lent is a time for reconciliation and reflection. I think of it as a quiet time in the church, with so much room for mercy and relationship. One reason it is one of my favorite times to go to mass is how much I love singing “Hold us in Your Mercy” at the start. It truly is the anthem of the season, being beholden to mercy is a comforting place to start. Don’t just reflect on the lyrics; read them prayerfully, hold them in the space with the Holy Ghost, and allow them to mean something.
Hold Us in Your Mercy
Maker’s love poured out from heaven.
Hold us in your mercy.
Mercy’s word made flesh among us.
Hold us in your mercy.
Born as one of homeless pilgrims.
Hold us in your mercy.
Sent to bring the poor good news.
Hold us in your mercy.
You who shared the sinner’s table.
Hold us in your mercy.
You who cleansed the leper’s flesh.
Hold us in your mercy.
Kyrie eleison.
Hold us in your mercy.
Christe eleison.
Hold us in your mercy.
Hold us in your mercy.
Hold us in your mercy.
What to consider
I hope you found a peace similar to the one I find when I sing these words to myself, and that you find a moment of reflection. Lent is a time when you bring yourself to a new beginning, so what are you looking for? A deeper relationship with Jesus: consider taking time for weekly adoration or a First Friday Mass. Use this time before Lent to find what you need to nourish your spirit and cleanse your guilt. Use humility as a guide for salvation, surrounded by mercy when you fail.
Ashes to Ashes, Dust unto Dust.