“Lent is a season that invites us to change, to repent, to turn around.  It invites us into a new and lifegiving way and challenges us to give up our sinful or unhealthy ways.  But it’s not easy to change.”  Br, David Vryhof considers why it is so hard for us to change and offers the encouragement: God waits to help and strengthen you.

“We know the power of forgiveness. We know this already in our hearts. We know what an amazing feeling it is to forgive and be forgiven. We know those awesome moments of reconciliation when friends heal rifts and grow stronger. We also all know the power of resentments.”

Br. Jack Crowley encourages us to lean on Jesus' help in moving proactively and steadily from resentment toward forgiveness.

“Is there some presumptuous sin you’re in touch with in your own soul – how you regard yourself – that you need to let go, need to let out of prison, and simply be the person that God has uniquely formed?  You may be your own worst enemy, and the freedom Jesus Christ offers us in forgiveness may need to begin with your own self.” Br. Curtis Almquist considers the question of sin – both the bad news and the good – and finds hope for us all.

“Grief comes to each of us in a thousand shades and hues. We experience a vivid spectrum of grief. As loss—of loved ones in death, of relationships, of direction. As missed opportunities, roads not taken, paths unexplored. As things we may never be or do because of what we already are or have done. As limitations imposed on us, or by us. For what do you grieve today? For what does your heart ache?” Br. Lain Wilson reminds us how God's mercy allows us to be in our grief, and eventually to come through it, to joy unspeakable.

“Genuine hope looks to God; it is not focused on us.  Abraham “hoped against all hope,” not because he thought himself capable of fulfilling the promise, but because he believed God was able to do what God had promised.  His faith was in God.” Br. David Vyrhof considers God's covenant with Abraham for our own very deep and very real reasons for hope.

“Remaining doesn’t mean being static, staying the same. Benedictine Michael Casey wrote: ‘Stability is not immobility. It’s the knack of remaining constant in the midst of change.’ Constancy comes through the little things, daily habits of showing up, being kind, giving thanks.” In memory of Matthias, Br. Luke Ditewig praises the virtue of constancy.

“We begin the first of five Tuesday evening sermons in Lent focused on 'finding God amid all that troubles us in our lives and in the world.' This evening we explore the ultimate terms of life: “Life in the Midst of Death.” I’m going to start with eternity and then move back-from-the-future into the present. First, a disclaimer. My own experience of life after death is limited.” Br. Curtis Almquist shares several sustaining practices that can redress our fear of death and help us to claim life both in the present and in the life to come.

“We observe days and seasons of feasts and fasts one after another over the course of the year. But feast and fast are always present, interwoven with each other, the warp and weft of our lives. Interwoven, they depend on each other, giving each other depth and richness, and providing form and meaning to our relationships with each other, ourselves, and God.” As Lent begins, Br. Lain Wilson invites us to notice how God is bringing feast into our fast.

“We live out our vocations, our call to Christ, every day of our lives. We answer Jesus’ call every morning when the alarm goes off and we drag ourselves out of bed and lift up that cross one more time. We do this every morning knowing that one day we will wake up for the last time. In between now and that last day, we have a lot of daily life to live.” On the second day of Lent, Br. Jack Crowley ponders Jesus' instruction that we take up our cross daily.

“Bring forward something within you that you know does not reflect the qualities of Jesus. Offer this to God and in exchange, receive and partake in the body and blood of Jesus, present in the bread and wine. As you begin your Lenten journey tomorrow, aim to 'grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.'” On the cusp of Lent, Br. Jim Woodrum encourages us to discern our identity as God's children, along with the defining qualities that should accompany such recognition.