Understanding the Three Lenten Practices: Prayer, Almsgiving, and Fasting

We explore how Lenten practices of prayer, almsgiving, and fasting help us becoming more loving in three aspects. Prayer helps refocus on God, almsgiving sensitizes to others' needs, and fasting helps heal our relationship with ourselves. Ultimately, these practices can transform our relationships.

Exploring Inner Freedom: Insights from Stephen Covey's "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

Three Lenten practices. Three ways to grow in freedom and become more loving this year.

Religious Insights, Lent and Easter, Faith and Reflection, Personal GrowthPepe RuizFebruary 9, 2024Montserrat Jesuit Retreat HouseInner Freedom, Stephen Covey, The Seven Habits, Lenten Practices, Self-Discovery, Transformation, Personal Growth, Spiritual Insights, Proactivity, Lent, Free Program

Embracing the Spirit of Love This Lenten Season

"Love is shown more in actions than words.."This lent: How can I be more aware of God’s action in my life? How can I show love through my actions to others? "Love consists in communication and Mutual Exchange of gifts" This lent: How has God communicated to me? How can I be more aware of God’s gifts? How can I put effort in communicating better? How can I offer my gifts and accept the gifts of others in my life?

Personal Growth, Religious Insights, Lent and Easter, Transformation, CompassionPepe RuizFebruary 4, 2024Montserrat Jesuit Retreat HouseSure! Here's the SEO-friendly and optimized version of your blog post formatted for a Squarespace website: Embracing the Spirit of Love This Lenten Season This Lenten season, starting on February 14th, St. Valentine’s Day, presents us with a unique opportunity: to view this season through the lens of love. It's a chance to reflect not just on the traditional practices of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, but to use them as tools to help us become more loving individuals. The Power of Love in Action In the wise words of St. Ignatius, "Love shows itself more through actions than words." This Lent, let's embody this principle by becoming more aware of God’s love for us and demonstrating love in our daily interactions and relationships. Attitudes like kindness, understanding, and compassion are tangible ways to create ripples of positive impact around us. Sharing Our Gifts: A Reflection from St. Ignatius St. Ignatius teaches that love is about mutual sharing of our gifts. The Spiritual Exercises prompt us to consider how we can offer our unique talents and blessings to enrich the lives of others, and to receive the goodness that others offer in our lives. However, before we extend this love outward, it's essential to recognize the ultimate source of love: God. God's love is exemplified through His communication and sharing of life, and the countless gifts bestowed upon humanity, showcasing a love that is active and generous. Reflecting on God's Love This season challenges us to reflect on how God communicates His love and continuously offers it to us. It's a reminder of the freedom we have to accept this divine love and, in turn, share it freely with others. As we embark on this Lenten journey, let's open our hearts to the transformative power of love, allowing it to guide our actions and interactions. The True Essence of Lent In embracing this spirit of love, we find the true essence of Lent and the path to a more fulfilling and compassionate existence. Let this be a time of renewal, where love, in its most genuine form, becomes the cornerstone of our lives. Amen. Meta Description: "Embrace the Lenten season through the lens of love. Reflect on fasting, and almsgiving as tools for becoming more loving. Discover the transformative power of love in your daily interactions." SEO Title: "Embrace Love This Lent: Transformative Practices for a Compassionate Life" Tags: Lent, Lenten Practices, Love, St. Ignatius, Fasting, Prayer, Almsgiving, Spiritual Growth, Compassion, Kindness, Self-Reflection, Spiritual Exercises

Recognizing the Risen Lord in Our Lives

Unlocking Divine Presence: A Journey of Recognition Amid Life's Challenges

Christian Living, Religious Insights, Lent and Easter, Prayer, Personal Growth, Faith and ReflectionPepe RuizNovember 27, 2023Montserrat Jesuit Retreat HouseRisen Lord, Recognizing Jesus, Emmaus, Spiritual Relationship, Christian Faith, Spiritual Guidance, Easter Reflection, Building Faith, Consolation in Christ, Fr. Mike French SJ

Exploring the Promise of Eternal Life: Reflections on Easter

Discover the promise of eternal life with loved ones in the splendors of a renewed earth. Read Fr. Joe Tetlow, S.J.'s latest blog for Montserrat Retreat House.

Lent and Easter, Faith and Reflection, Religious InsightsPepe RuizMay 10, 2023Montserrat Jesuit Retreat HouseEternal Life, Easter Reflections, Divine Promise, Fr. Joe Tetlow SJ, Heavenly Existence

Exploring the Significance of the Empty Tomb: Reflections on Easter

Fr. Mike French writes about the empty tomb as an invitation to Embracing Surrender.

Christian Living, Lent and Easter, Faith and Reflection, Personal Growth, Religious InsightsPepe RuizMay 3, 2023Montserrat Jesuit Retreat HouseEaster Resurrection, Empty Tomb, Faith Reflections, Surrender, Fr. Mike French SJ

Reflecting on God's Love: Three Characteristics to Consider This Lent

As we enter the Lenten season, it's essential to pause and contemplate the significance of this time in our relationship with God. Lent is a period to rejoice in God's love, and here are three key characteristics of His love to ponder:

Christian Living, Lent and Easter, Faith and Reflection, Personal Growth, Religious Insights, Spiritual PracticesPepe RuizMarch 22, 2023Montserrat Jesuit Retreat HouseLent, God's Love, Reflection, Spiritual Growth, Fr. Derek Vo SJ

Reflecting on the Easter Duty: A Joyful Act of Reconciliation

Joyful duty of Easter Duty: Confession and Communion at least once a year to remember God's love and accept reconciliation.

Lent and Easter, Personal Growth, Religious InsightsPepe RuizMarch 15, 2023Montserrat Jesuit Retreat HouseEaster Duty, Lent, Repentance, Confession, Communion, Reconciliation, God's Love

Exploring Lenten Practices: Prayer, Almsgiving, and Fasting in Relationships

The blog explores Lenten practices of prayer, almsgiving, and fasting in relation to becoming more loving in three aspects. Prayer helps refocus on God, almsgiving sensitizes to others' needs, and fasting helps heal our relationship with ourselves. Ultimately, these practices can transform our relationships.

Christian Living, Faith and Reflection, Lent and Easter, Personal Growth, Religious InsightsPepe RuizMarch 8, 2023Montserrat Jesuit Retreat HouseLent, Lenten Practices, Prayer, Almsgiving, Fasting, Relationships, Spiritual Growth

Exploring Inner Freedom: A Lenten Perspective

Three Lenten practices. Three ways to grow in freedom this year.

Christian Living, Faith and Reflection, Lent and Easter, Religious Insights, Spiritual PracticesPepe RuizMarch 1, 2023Montserrat Jesuit Retreat HouseLent, Inner Freedom, Stephen Covey, Seven Habits, Lenten Practices, Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving

Embracing Lent: Reflections on Earthly Existence

EARTH: JESUS’ HUMBLE HOME AND OURS - Lent reminds us of our final return to the earth. But this earth, where Jesus lived and loved, is our humble home too.

Faith and Reflection, Personal Growth, Lent and Easter, Spiritual Practices, Religious Insights, TransformationPepe RuizFebruary 22, 2023Montserrat Jesuit Retreat HouseLent, Earthly Existence, Reflection, Mortality, Divine Promise, Lenten Journey, Renewa

Lent and Easter Season, Sorrow and Joy

First Lent, then Easter. Jesus told us: You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy (Jn.16:20). We sorrow at the awful grief that humanity inflicts on itself: genocide in Ukraine, millions of abortions, and little children living hungry and lonely.

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