March 11.  My word shall not return to me empty but accomplish that which I intend. ”Graham had made a serious commitment to read the daily scripture passages during Lent.  He noted that often in these Old Testament readings it was God speaking, “The Lord says…” and he realized that God speaks through people, like the prophet Isaiah and others.  “I think God is speaking to me too to encourage others around me to listen to His word and follow what it is telling us. Now I must pray that they will listen to me.” 

Reflect, share and act. Scripture: Thus says the Lord, ”As the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word  not return to me empty but accomplish that which I intend.” Isa 55:10-11. Pope Francis:  The family is called to join in daily prayer, to read the word of God and to share in Eucharistic communion and so to grow in love and become ever more fully a temple in which the Spirit dwells. AL29.  JUBILEE.  The Jubilee Year will also coincide with a significant date for all Christians, namely, the 1700th anniversary of the celebration of the first great Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. From apostolic times, bishops have gathered on various occasions to discuss doctrinal questions and disciplinary matters. In the first centuries of Christianity, synods frequently took place in both East and West, showing the importance of unity of God’s People and the faithful proclamation of the Gospel. The Jubilee can serve as an important occasion for giving concrete expression to this form of synodality, which the Christian community today considers increasingly necessary for responding to the urgent need for evangelization. All the baptized, with their respective charisms and ministries, are co-responsible for ensuring that manifold signs of hope bear witness to God’s presence in the world.   SNC 17.  Choose an act of love and sacrifice from the list, also published at www.marfam.org.za/lent    Check out and pray with MARFAM’s resources e.g. STATIONS OF THE CROSS FOR FAMILIES