5th week of Lent, Saturday – Lack of air circulation makes things stale or rancid. That is why we ‘air things out”, ideas and belongings. Look at one object within your view. Blow a tissue of paper held by two fingers. Let your eyes examine it – trace all its edges, colour, light, etc. Let your eyes follow this movement seemingly without purpose. Let your mind settle and relax. Thank God that you can notice this smallness in all the bigness of your life.

5th week of Lent, Friday – Breathing poison means death or even worse. Jesus died on a Friday but he dies many times over in the suffering of his people and in his world. Auschwitz, Chernobyl, even in smoking’s effects. Pause for the suffering in the world. Remember to be compassionate. Compassion. Not popular but priestly.

5th week of Lent, Thursday – At what is now called Pentecost, there was the sound of a mighty, rushing wind. The Holy Spirit had arrived in this sensation. The wind is a stirring that can be felt all over your body…with anticipation, excitement, and more. Who wouldn’t want more of this divine spirit? But… it can be a change that is also frightening. Don’t pray for the Holy Spirit unless you are willing to be altered. And yes, it is scary to give up control in this way.

5th week of Lent, Wednesday – God breathed life into the newly created human. He breathed and continues to breathe life into all things. Without God, there is nothing. You are a unique part of it…and have a responsibility to God’s entire creation and to it as community. Could it be that without you, God has nothing?

5th week of Lent, Tuesday – Loosely roll a magazine into a tube and peer into the great beyond, out a window or walk outside. Look at the cosmos through this limiting lens.  Notice the colour of the sky – day or night. Consider this direct line to the vastness of the universe….the known and the unknown. Now think of the vastness of the Creator of this vastness and mystery. Christ sustains the universe by his powerful command. Hebrews 1:3