Welcome to the Sacred Shores: A Lenten Pilgrimage with the Saints weekly blog. Whether you’re doing this with a small group or on your own, this blog will help you go deeper into each of the contributor’s reflections. Our hope is that you are able to spend quality time with the Lord this Lent, and we know that the journey is richer with companions accompanying us on the way. Thank you for letting us be one of those companions and walking this walk with us.
This week’s blog will be a little longer than the rest so that I can walk you through the process that I will be taking. I hope you don’t mind.
Start by setting a time and a place that is quiet, where you won’t be disturbed. I know there will be days that I will have to break up the process and won’t be able to complete the entire reflection on the saint in one sitting. That’s okay! I trust that God will give me what I need when I need it. I guess the old adage “trust the process” applies here.
As we begin, it’s important to be in the right frame of mind to receive what it is that Christ has in store for us. Take a deep breath and ask the Lord to open your heart and mind to the message that He has for you. Ask Him to help you receive it fully and bring it with you into your day.
If, like me, you are doing this in the quiet of your home or in your car during lunch, you can still follow the Group Lectio Divina Guide on page 13. Start by writing down a few joys, challenges, and graces that you have encountered this week. (There are note pages at the end of each saint’s section, if you aren’t using your own notebook.) Thank God for them all and offer them up either in thanksgiving or as a sacrifice. Place them at His feet with trust that He has your best interest in mind.
Read the biography of the saint and the suggested scripture, looking for a word or phrase that catches your attention. Reread the biography and scripture slowly with that word or phrase in mind. How does it connect to your life? What is God calling you to in this moment, today, this week? Jot down anything that comes to mind.
After reading the biography, is there anything that you’d like to know more about? Make note of it and do some quick research later in the week.
Spend some time with the reflection questions.
Here is where I would either stop for the moment and pick it up again later, or if I have time, continue on with the Visio Divina.
Alright, now let’s get started. St. Peter, show us your wisdom. Holy Spirit, move in us and open our hearts to God’s love and goodness.
St. Peter, Week 1
As I read the biography and scripture, I am struck by this line, “Through Peter’s transformation, we see the power of grace to turn weakness into strength, doubt into faith, and failure into redemption.”
Deacon Jules Breaux leaves us with a lot to reflect upon.
Are we willing to follow Christ wherever He leads, even if it costs us everything?
Do you realize that God calls you to be a “rock” in your own life and the lives of others?
Are you willing to trust Him enough to stand firm in your faith
and fulfill the mission He has given you?
I want my answer to be an emphatic, “YES!” but I know that it’s not always the case. As Peter did, I have also denied Christ out of fear even though I do love Him. I think that’s why that line caught my attention.
I don’t always give myself the grace to see that even though I am weak, He turns it into strength.
Even when I doubt, He restores my faith.
Even when I fail, He redeems me.
Do I know that He calls me to be a rock in my space to those around me? Yes. Am I willing to do it? If I’m honest, my answer is “only sometimes”. As I sit here and think about it logically, I can give a full, whole-hearted yes, but when it gets down to it and
I am tired,
or hungry,
or scared,
or ,
or ,
or ,
I sometimes remember that I am strong because of Him. I can sometimes give it everything in that moment because I remember who I’m doing it for. I am secure in my firm foundation so I can stand in my faith to fulfill my mission, but sometimes I succumb to fear, or weakness, or doubt. However, I know that by continuing to be willing, asking for His grace, and shoring up my firm foundation, I will more and more often be that “rock” He calls me to be.
He loves me enough to keep asking because He wants my “yes”.
As I look at the crest of St. Peter, those keys stand out most to me. I think they connect me to the reflection questions. If I keep my eyes focused on Christ and stay open and willing to do what He asks, it’s like holding the keys to heaven in my hands. At that point I still have the work of actually doing what He asks, whether I get it right or fumble it doesn’t matter. It’s simply that I placed my trust in Him and I took the leap of faith that counts – perfection is not required.
Now looking at the rest of the crest, both as a whole and the individual parts, I am reminded of what it is He is asking me to do. He is asking me to:
Remember that He is my foundation, and it is strong.
Feed the hungry and care for his flock, both physically and spiritually.
I have been weak and afraid, but in Him, I am strong and courageous.
He has redeemed my failures by turning them into opportunities to love Him better.
Share His story of redemption and forgiveness with those around me.
Be strong and trust Him in times of struggle and sorrow.
Forgive without measure as I have been forgiven. This includes forgiving myself.
Remember that Christ trusts me to carry out His mission. I cannot fail with Him.
Stay humble and always act with faith in Him.
This list somehow bolsters my confidence and makes me excited about the road ahead. I know that I will stumble and face turbulent storms, but continuing to seek Him out through prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and participating in reflections like these reminds me that I will also lie in green pastures and maybe even walk on water (metaphorically speaking, of course!)
Lord, through the life of St. Peter, You remind us that faith isn’t about being perfect but about trusting in Your mercy and grace. Help us to stand steady as rocks of faith, rooted in Your love, and to step boldly into the mission You’ve called us to with courage and hope. Amen.
Purchase Sacred Shores: A Lenten Pilgrimage with the Saints devotional and follow along with us! Visit www.wearethelightproject.org and select our local pick-up option or shop in person at Crossroads Collective in Lafayette to purchase.
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