Lent Meditation

Saint Alphonsus published the meditations that follow in 1767. They are part of a much longer work entitled The Way of Salvation and of Perfection.   Although the meditations can be enjoyed and appreciated as they are presented, it was Saint Alphonsus' intention that they be used within the context of meditation. For many people the idea of meditation can be threatening, but it does not have to be. For example, the method of meditation proposed by Saint Alphonsus is easily learned and practiced. You do not need to be an expert at praying to profit from this kind of meditative practice. All that is required is a willingness to communicate with the Lord.

 The proposed method of meditation consists of three parts: preparation, consideration, and conclusion.

The second step is what St. Alphonsus calls the "consideration."  This step includes reading a reflection for the day, such as something from scripture or a spiritual reading book and then some time spent recalling the Passion of Christ. It must be understood that the fruit of prayer does not consist in meditating but rather in producing A) affections (prayers of praise), for example, affections of humility, confidence, love, sorrow, offering, and resignation to the will of God: B) in making petitions, especially in imploring God to grant us perseverance and his holy love; C) in making resolution to avoid some particular sin and practicing some particular virtue.

Finally in the third step, the conclusion, we pray, "I thank you God, for the insight that you have given me.  I intend to keep the resolutions that I have made and I ask for the necessary grace from you to fulfill them."  Never forget to recommend to God the poor souls in purgatory and all poor sinners.  Never, regardless of how you might feel, no matter how cold or how weary you may be, omit your daily meditation.