How often have I lived through these weeks without paying much attention to penance, fasting, and prayer? How often have I missed the spiritual fruits of this season without even being aware of it? But how can I ever really celebrate Easter without observing Lent? How can I rejoice fully in your resurrection when I have avoided participating in you death? Yes, Lord, I have to die – with you, through you, and in you – and thus become ready to recognize you when you appear to me in your resurrection.There is so much in me that needs to die: false attachments, greed, and anger, impatience and stinginess. O Lord, I am self-centered, concerned about myself, my career, my future, my name and future, my name and fame. I see clearly now how little I have died with you, really gone your way and been faithful to it. O Lord, make this Lenten season different from the other ones. Let me find you again. Amen (from Show Me the Way – Daily Lenten Readings by Henri J.M. Nouwen) 1By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. 2On the willows there we hung up our lyres. 3For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!" 4 How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land? Psalm 137 English Standard Version Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary (click on underlined link to go directly to the reading) Jeremiah 8:4-9:6 - Romans 5:1-11 - John 8:12-20