1. Editor's Note

2. Inspiration for This Week

Thou art my hope in the day of evil.

3. Meditation on the Healing of the Leper by Don Schwager

The Holy Spirit inflames our hearts with the love of Christ that we may reach out to others with compassionate care, especially to those who have been rejected and mistreated. The love of God impels us to do as Jesus did – to love the unlovable, to touch the untouchable, and to forgive the unforgiveable. ...

4. Lenten Reflections (Week 2)

This week's Lenten Retreat.

5. Daily Meditations and Bible Reading:

Meditations for each day of the week.

6. Holy Lent Supplement in Malankara World

http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Library/Lent/

7. About Malankara World

There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. - I will sing of thy power; yea I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning; for thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.

In my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. Thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled. I cried to thee, O LORD: and unto the LORD I made supplication. What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth? Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.

For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with ever-lasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Reeemer. - Sorrow shall be turned into joy. - Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

JER. 17:17. Psa. 4:6. Psa. 59:16. Psa. 30:6,8 10. Isa. 54:7,8. John 16:20. Psa. 30:5.

by Don Schwager

"Great multitudes gathered to hear and to be healed of their infirmities." Luke 15:15a

Scripture: Luke 5:12-16

12 While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and besought him, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." 13 And he stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean." And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 And he charged him to tell no one; but "go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to the people." 15 But so much the more the report went abroad concerning him; and great multitudes gathered to hear and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But he withdrew to the wilderness and prayed.

Meditation:

What can keep us from God's love and his power to heal and cleanse us from sickness of body, mind, and spirit? The Jewish law forbade anyone from touching or approaching a leper, lest ritual defilement occur. The leper who met Jesus did something quite remarkable. He approached Jesus confidently and humbly, expecting that Jesus could and would heal him. Normally a leper would be stoned or at least warded off if he tried to come near a rabbi. Jesus not only grants the man his request, but he demonstrates the personal love, compassion, and tenderness of God in his physical touch. The medical knowledge of his day would have regarded such contact as grave risk for incurring infection. Jesus met the man's misery with compassion and tender kindness. He communicated the love and mercy of God in a sign that spoke more eloquently than words. He touched the man and made him clean – not only physically but spiritually as well.

Some eleven centuries later, another man, named Francis, met a leper on the road as he journeyed towards Assisi. "Though the leper caused him no small disgust and horror, he nonetheless, got off the horse and prepared to kiss the leper. But when the leper put out his hand as though to receive something, he received money along with a kiss" (from the Life of St. Francis by Thomas of Celano). Francis did what seemed humanly impossible because he was filled with the love and compassion of Christ. The Holy Spirit inflames our hearts with the love of Christ that we may reach out to others with compassionate care, especially to those who have been rejected and mistreated. The love of God impels us to do as Jesus did – to love the unlovable, to touch the untouchable, and to forgive the unforgiveable. Do you allow the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with the love and compassion of Christ for others?

"May the power of your love, Lord Christ, fiery and sweet as honey, so absorb our hearts as to withdraw them from all that is under heaven. Grant that we may be ready to die for love of your love, as you died for love of our love." (Prayer of Francis of Assisi, 13th century)

Copyright (c)1999-2010 Don Schwager

Lenten Retreat 2 - video
Experience the power of the lent spending 15-20 minutes a day on meditation and Gospel reading.

Sunday, February 26: Day 7 - Second Sunday of the Great Lent

Monday, February 27: Day 8 - Second Monday of the Great Lent

Tuesday, February 28: Day 9 - Second Tuesday of the Great Lent

Wednesday, February 29: Day 10 - Second Wednesday of the Great Lent

Thursday, March 1: Day 11 - Second Thursday of the Great Lent

Friday, March 2: Day 12 - Second Friday of the Great Lent

Saturday, March 3: Day 13 - Second Saturday of the Great Lent