Simple advice

Today’s readings inspire simple suggestions for this first full week of Lent.

The first reading (Isaiah 55:10-11) consists of this beautiful passage:

For just as from the heavens
the rain and snow come down
And do not return there
till they have watered the earth,
making it fertile and fruitful,
Giving seed to the one who sows
and bread to the one who eats,
So shall my word be
that goes forth from my mouth;
It shall not return to me void,
but shall do my will,
achieving the end for which I sent it.

This famous saying not only reaffirms our hope; it invites us to immerse ourselves in God’s word.

Perhaps we could include in our Lenten devotion a short time to read Scripture prayerfully and even audibly.

The Gospel (Matthew 6:7-15) gives us our Lord’s core advice about prayer: simplicity, brevity, and reality.

In praying,
do not babble like the pagans,
who think that they will be heard
because of their many words.
Do not be like them.
Your Father knows what you need
before you ask him.

This is how you are to pray:

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

If you forgive men their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men,
neither will your Father
forgive your transgressions.

Read.

Pray.

Forgive.