How can I, on this Thursday of the First Week of Lent—when the Gospel proclaims “Ask and it will be given to you”—continue to ask God for a positive outcome to our current environmental and societal challenges (as Laudato si’ urges), trust the Synod’s call to ask the Secretariat for ongoing synodal discernment, rejoice that we ask for puppies at The Glenn and receive them, and still dare to ask for a miracle for my son Daniel, even though he has entered hospice, holding onto Venerable Fulton J. Sheen’s reminder that the farm is key to true security❓
It has been noted by either the so-called defenders of democracy or their enemies the Communists that the farm, or productive land, is one of the keys to security.
Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
Gospel
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which one of you would hand his son a stone
when he asked for a loaf of bread,
or a snake when he asked for a fish❓
If you then, who are wicked,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give good things
to those who ask him.“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.
This is the law and the prophets.”
Lent Day 8 Lectio Divina on the word “Ask“
I ask myself what it truly means to live with hope, especially when I see my son Daniel entering hospice care. It’s easy to become discouraged, yet the Gospel reminds me that I can still ask for God’s intervention, trusting that even in the darkest moments, light can shine through.
I ask God for guidance as I seek to honor the call of Laudato si’, praying for a positive outcome to the environmental challenges our world faces. Though it seems daunting, I ask for the strength to do my part, believing that our Creator desires a future where His creation flourishes for generations to come.
to watch over the synodal quality of the working method of the Study Groups.
I ask the Holy Spirit to bless the Synod’s efforts, particularly as the Secretariat continues to safeguard the synodal quality of each study group. The Church, like a family, grows stronger when we ask questions, listen well, and discern together, allowing the Spirit to guide our steps toward unity and mission.
I ask for small joys in the midst of sorrow, like the arrival of puppies at The Glenn—a simple reminder that new life can bring hope. Even when so much feels beyond my control, I remember that God delights in giving good gifts, even in the midst of pain.
I ask, then, for a miracle for Daniel through the intercession of the Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, holding on to the words of Jesus who promises:
We believers cannot fail to ask God for a positive outcome to the present discussions, so that future generations will not have to suffer the effects of our ill-advised delays.
FROM PARAGRAPH 169 OF THE ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI’ OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME