Lent Archives

Day 8 – Preparing a Space for Prayer – 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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A Discerning Heart Prepared: 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent

Opening Prayer (Pray each day before the daily reflection)

Heavenly Father, as I prepare to enter the holy season of Lent, I open my heart to You. Let this be a time of renewal, where I grow in love, sacrifice, and prayer. Help me remove distractions and embrace this season with purpose. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, may my soul be ready to walk with Christ.

Amen.

Day 8 – Preparing a Space for Prayer

Scripture: “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

Reflection:
Where do you encounter God in your daily life? A quiet space for prayer allows your heart to focus on Him, free from distractions.

Practical Step:

Create a prayer space. Find a quiet place at home where you can pray—whether it’s a chair, a small table, or a dedicated room.
Set up meaningful objects—your Bible, a crucifix, an icon, a candle, or a rosary—to remind you of God’s presence.
If your home is too busy, plan an alternative space. Arriving early for Mass, visiting a chapel, or taking a walk can be powerful moments of stillness with God.

Closing Prayer:
Lord, help me create a sacred space where I can meet You each day.

Amen.

Take a moment now to sit in stillness. Let today’s prayer and reflection settle in your heart.

When Lent begins this Ash Wednesday, we’ll invite you to continue your journey with our series A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory, exclusively on Discerning Hearts.

May this season be one of deep grace and renewal and a deeper encounter with Christ.

Day 7 – Opening Your Heart to Grace – 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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A Discerning Heart Prepared: 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent

Opening Prayer (Pray each day before the daily reflection)

Amen.

Day 7 – Opening Your Heart to Grace

Scripture: “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” (Hebrews 10:24)

Reflection:
Lent is not a journey we take alone. God places people in our lives—friends, family, priests, mentors—to walk with us, encourage us, and challenge us.

Who in your life inspires you to grow closer to God?

Practical Step:

Plan a spiritual conversation. Reach out to a trusted friend, priest, or mentor and schedule time to talk about your faith journey during Lent.
Encourage others in their Lenten commitments. Perhaps a simple text message or note of encouragement could help someone stay strong in their journey.
Ask yourself: Who can I pray for in a special way this Lent? Write their names in your journal and lift them up in prayer.

Closing Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the gift of others who walk with me in faith. Help me to be a source of encouragement and strength to those around me.

Amen.

Take a moment now to sit in stillness. Let today’s prayer and reflection settle in your heart.

May this season be one of deep grace and renewal and a deeper encounter with Christ.

Day 6 – Seeking Grace in the Sacraments – 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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A Discerning Heart Prepared: 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent

Opening Prayer (Pray each day before the daily reflection)

Amen.

Day 6 – Seeking Grace in the Sacraments

Scripture: “Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful.” (Joel 2:13)

Reflection:
Lent is a season of returning to God, and the greatest way to encounter His mercy is through the Sacraments—especially Confession and the Eucharist.

How often do you allow the sacraments to transform you?

Practical Step:

Plan to go to Confession during Lent. Find the parish schedule and write down a day that works for you. If necessary, make an appointment with a priest.
Plan time for Adoration. Even if it’s just once a week or for a few quiet moments before Mass, let yourself be still in Christ’s presence.
Commit to attending at least one additional daily Mass during Lent. If that’s not possible, consider reflecting on the daily Mass readings.

Closing Prayer:
Jesus, help me embrace Your mercy this Lent. Let the sacraments transform my heart and bring me closer to You.

Amen.

Take a moment now to sit in stillness. Let today’s prayer and reflection settle in your heart.

May this season be one of deep grace and renewal and a deeper encounter with Christ.

Day 5 – Deepening My Prayer Life – 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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A Discerning Heart Prepared: 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent

Opening Prayer (Pray each day before the daily reflection)

Amen.

Day 5 – Deepening My Prayer Life

Scripture: “Lord, teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1)

Reflection:
Lent is a time to strengthen our relationship with God through prayer. But prayer is not just about words—it is about being present with the Lord.

Ask yourself: How can I deepen my prayer life this Lent?

Practical Step:

Choose a new prayer practice to adopt during Lent—perhaps morning prayer, an evening examen, Stations of the Cross, or praying the Rosary or the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
Find a Lenten devotional, spiritual reading, or podcast series to accompany your prayer journey. Consider listening to Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts for daily reflections or Lectio Divina
Write a list of prayer intentions for the season, interceding for family, friends, or those in need. You can record all those in your journal

Closing Prayer:
Lord, teach me to pray. Help me to listen, to rest in You, and to grow in trust.

Amen.

Take a moment now to sit in stillness. Let today’s prayer and reflection settle in your heart.

May this season be one of deep grace and renewal and a deeper encounter with Christ.

Day 4 – Readiness for Sacrifice – 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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A Discerning Heart Prepared: 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent

Opening Prayer (Pray each day before the daily reflection)

Amen.

Day 4 – Readiness for Sacrifice

Scripture: “Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:25)

Reflection:
Fasting is not just about deprivation; it is a way of making space for God. It reminds us that He alone can satisfy our deepest hunger.

Practical Steps:

Take a moment today to plan your Lenten fasting.

Will you fast from certain foods?
Will you step away from distractions like social media or unnecessary spending?
What small but meaningful sacrifices can you make to strengthen your dependence on God?

As we enter this season, let’s also remember the Church’s call to fasting and abstinence.

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting. At a bare minimum, this means no more than one full meal and two smaller meals that together do not equal a full meal, with no snacking in between. These are also days of abstinence from meat.
Take a moment to ask yourself: Given my health and circumstances, what can I truly offer as a fasting prayer this Lent? Plan accordingly, making your sacrifice one that draws you closer to God.
All Fridays during Lent are days of abstinence from meat, uniting us with Christ’s sacrifice in a simple but meaningful way.

Lent isn’t just about what we give up—it’s about how we love.

Consider adding a spiritual work of mercy to your Lenten journey:

Is there an opportunity in your parish or a local ministry that serves the poor, the suffering, or those in need? Could you take part in it?
Can you reach out to someone in need with a kind act or a word of encouragement? A simple gesture could mean more than you realize.
Is there a relationship that needs healing? Consider taking the first step—perhaps by writing a letter, making a call, or offering a quiet prayer for reconciliation.
Offer a daily prayer for others, especially for those who are suffering, lonely, or in need of hope.

Fasting isn’t about deprivation—it’s about making space for God.

As you begin this Lenten practice, ask yourself: Lord, how are You inviting me to rely on You more deeply?

Closing Prayer:
Jesus, help me to fast with love, to sacrifice with joy, and to embrace this Lent as a time to grow closer to You.

Amen.

Take a moment now to sit in stillness. Let today’s prayer and reflection settle in your heart.

May this season be one of deep grace and renewal and a deeper encounter with Christ.

Day 3 – Removing Obstacles – 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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A Discerning Heart Prepared: 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent

Opening Prayer (Pray each day before the daily reflection)

Amen.

Day 3 – Removing Obstacles

Scripture: “Make straight the way of the Lord.” (John 1:23)

Reflection:
Before we move forward in Lent, it would be good to remove what is holding us back. What distractions, sins, or habits keep you from drawing closer to Christ?

Practical Step:

Take time today to identify what needs to go. Reflect on habits, distractions, or attachments that keep you from deeper prayer. Write them down in your journal, and ask for the grace to surrender them.
If possible, simplify your environment. Clear clutter from your prayer space, put away distractions, and create an atmosphere that helps you focus on God.

Closing Prayer:
Jesus, help me remove what keeps me from You. Give me the strength to let go and walk freely in Your grace.

Amen.

Take a moment now to sit in stillness. Let today’s prayer and reflection settle in your heart.

May this season be one of deep grace and renewal and a deeper encounter with Christ.

Day 2 – Expectant Waiting – 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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A Discerning Heart Prepared: 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent

Opening Prayer (Pray each day before the daily reflection)

Amen.

Day 2 – Expectant Waiting

Scripture: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.” (Matthew 5:6)

Reflection:
Lent is not just about what we give up; it is about what we take on for love of God. True transformation begins with expectation—a heart that longs to be filled by Him.

Today, take a moment to reflect: How do I want to grow this Lent? Where do I thirst for God’s grace in my life?

Practical Step:

Start your first Lenten journal entry. Write down what you hope for this season—how you want to grow spiritually, where you need God’s grace, and the prayers you want to bring before Him. Think of this as a gentle warm-up, allowing journaling to become second nature by the time Lent begins.
Ponder a simple daily prayer commitment. It could be reading a short passage of Scripture, praying the Rosary daily—alone or with family—or sitting in quiet with the Lord for five minutes each day. You don’t have to decide today, but begin discerning what might be best for you as Lent approaches.

Closing Prayer:
Lord, deepen my hunger for You. Awaken in me a longing that only You can satisfy.

Amen.

Take a moment now to sit in stillness. Let today’s prayer and reflection settle in your heart.

May this season be one of deep grace and renewal and a deeper encounter with Christ.

Day 1 – A Heart That Desires Renewal – 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent

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A Discerning Heart Prepared: 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent

Opening Prayer (Pray each day before the daily reflection)

Amen.

Day 1 – A Heart That Desires Renewal

Scripture: “Behold, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth—do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19)

Reflection:
God is always at work, bringing renewal to our hearts, but sometimes we fail to perceive it. As Lent approaches, we must ask: Am I open to what God wants to do within me?

Pause for a moment and bring this question to God: Lord, what new work do You desire to begin in me this Lent?

Practical Steps:
Today’s step is simple but important:

Choose a Bible to accompany you throughout Lent—maybe your well-loved favorite or a new one to mark this season of beginning again.
Find a journal for your reflections. It doesn’t have to be elaborate—just a simple space to write your thoughts, prayers, and insights each day.
Keep these items somewhere visible as a daily reminder to engage with God’s Word and reflect on your journey.

Closing Prayer:
Lord, I desire to be renewed. Give me the grace to see Your work unfolding in my life. Prepare my heart for the journey ahead.

Amen.

Take a moment now to sit in stillness. Let today’s prayer and reflection settle in your heart.

May this season be one of deep grace and renewal and a deeper encounter with Christ.

CTD4 – The Desert of Sin – Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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The Desert of Sin – Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion with Deacon James Keating

In this episode, Deacon James Keating and Kris McGregor discuss the concept of the “Desert of Sin”. They delve into the idea that sin, while providing some form of consolation, ultimately leads to spiritual emptiness and turmoil.

Dcn. Keating emphasizes the importance of patience in the process of personal and spiritual transformation, particularly in dealing with others who may not share the same level of spiritual fervor. He warns against the temptation to become impatient or frustrated when others do not respond as expected, stressing the need to trust in God’s timing for their conversion.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Reflection on the Desert of Sin: How do we recognize the mirage of sin in our lives and understand its inability to provide true fulfillment? How can we invite Jesus into our “desert” of sin to offer us real life?
Patience in Personal Growth: Reflect on the virtue of patience in your spiritual journey. How can impatience hinder our own progress and potentially lead to despair? How can we cultivate patience with ourselves and others as we strive for spiritual maturity?
Living Virtuously in Response to God’s Love: Consider the idea that receiving God’s love should naturally lead to loving God in return through virtuous living. How can we demonstrate our love for God through our actions and choices in daily life?
Role of Saints as Models of Holiness: Reflect on the lives of the saints as mirrors of hope. How can studying their examples help us understand the path to holiness and deepen our own relationship with God?
Embracing Joy through God’s Love: Explore the concept of joy as a result of receiving God’s love. How does this joy differ from superficial happiness, and how can we experience it more fully in our lives?

An excerpt from “Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion”:

“Any moral conversion, if it is to be real, must work its way into our minds and hearts. The conversion we undergo is one that transforms our entire person, and so our thought processes, habits, perceptions, and affections all become realigned to a new way of seeing good and evil Patience with ourselves, as well as with ohters who are also in the midst of conversion, becomes the key virtue to cultivate. God knows we are on the right track once we embrace such a conversion, and so being gentle on ourselves is not a sign of laxity or weakness of will, but a sign of wisdom.

Of course, the start of a moral conversion can be dramatic and jumpstart a change, but over the long haul of life, the heart of a person must be fully cooperative; otherwise, the person will not adhere to the moral truth for long.”

Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.

Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page

SM8 – The Feast of Feasts – Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter by Servant of God Catherine Doherty – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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SM8 – The Feast of Feasts – Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter by Servant of God Catherine Doherty

An excerpt from Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter:

“The Feast of Feasts”

“Easter—the resurrection of Christ! The feast of feasts! The final proof of Christ’s divinity! Easter—the first feast of the early Church, around which all the other feasts grew like stars around the sun. We celebrate Christ’s resurrection as something absolutely, fantastically beautiful that has happened, and is still happening. The fact that there is an Easter is something to be grateful for. It is such a happy feast. What can be more beautiful than this passage from death to life, real life? Now death has become a passage. A passage to what, to where, to whom? It is the passage of you to God and me to God. You walk into it and there at the end is Christ and Our Lady, the life that lasts forever and that is lived with God and his blessed Mother. Christ’s resurrection is the most joyous feast in the calendar of the Church, the one in which everything comes together. It is the greatest feast.

As you approach the church for the Vigil Mass announcing Christ’s resurrection, you will see preparations for a new fire. The fire is usually lit with a flint as it was in the old days. Ideally, the new fire is a large bonfire lit in the parking lot or other outdoor gathering place. It should be outside of the church on a dark night, because this bonfire celebrates, cries out: “Light! Out of the darkness of the tomb came Light! See! Come here, all you who were mourning. Come, all you who did not believe in God. Come, all you who never were told about God. Come and warm your hands at the fire!” The Light of Christ! This fire is the symbol of light, of warmth, the symbol of the heart of Christ and the love of Christ.”

Doherty, Catherine. Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter (Seasonal Customs Vol. 2) (p. 92). Madonna House Publications. Kindle Edition.

Catherine Doherty was born into an aristocratic family in Russia in 1896, and baptized in the Russian Orthodox Church. Because of her father’s work, she grew up in Ukraine, Egypt, and Paris. Many different strands of Christianity were woven into the spiritual fabric of her family background, but it was from the liturgy of the Russian Orthodox Church, the living faith of her father and mother, and the earthy piety of the Russian people themselves that Catherine received the powerful spiritual traditions and symbols of the Christian East. Catherine fled to England during the Russian Revolution, and was received into the Catholic Church in 1919. The cause for her canonization has been officially opened in the Catholic Church. More information about Catherine’s life, works, and the progress of her cause can be found at: www.catherinedoherty.org and www.madonnahouse.org.

Discerning Hearts is grateful to Madonna House Publications whose permission was obtained to record these audio selections from this published work.