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Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?"
Luke 9:23-25
WHERE WE'VE BEEN
Thus far, we have discovered that we are all made with dignity and purpose, in God’s image and likeness — in harmony with God, with our souls, and with the things of this world. Through original sin, we fell short of our purpose and clouded our dignity.
As a result, what once was harmony between God and man has now been overcome by PRIDE. What once was harmony between man’s soul and his body has now been twisted into a LUST OF THE FLESH (a desire for pleasure). And what once was harmony between man and the goods of the world, has now been overcome by a LUST OF THE EYES (a desire for things).
To restore what was lost, God does not abolish the law. Rather, He sends His only Son to save us. He challenges us even more deeply to follow the law with all our being. This is because laws, rules, and boundaries are the framework by which relationships can flourish.
Last month, we focused on the reason we strive for holiness and virtue: because we are in a covenant relationship with our Lord… and covenant relationships are binding.
This month, we learn how this all connects to the season of Lent, a season when we aim to be better disciples in this loving, covenantal relationship.
SUMMARY OF THE NIGHT
This month's FIRE night, we tie all the previous nights together by discovering how the Lenten season is aimed at helping us conquer our root sins and living a life faithful to the commandments and striving for virtue.
We discuss first what it means to (1) deny oneself, (2) take up one's cross, and (3) follow the Lord.
Then, we will discuss how all this relates to the season of Lent.
FIERY FREE SPACE
Share your "Fiery Free Space" creations, from the middle section of your take-home pamphlet, so we can share them at the next FIRE night! Simply take a picture of the box labeled "Fiery Free Space" and click the button below to email it to us!
RESOURCES FROM THE NIGHT
ADULT HANDOUTTAKE-HOME PAMPHLET
AT-HOME VIDEOS & ACTIVITIES
Want some help in further understanding this topic or in sharing this topic with your family? Check our some of these great resources we found to help you!
- 7 Ways to Practice Lent
- Lent with the Saints
- Lenten Actions Cards
- Lent Activities Pack
- Holiness Habits for Lent
- 40 Simple Lenten Activities for Kids
- Lenten Promise Cards (Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving Printable) for Families
- Coloring Pages for Lent and Easter
- Lent: Activity Ideas for 40 Days
- Printable Lenten Calendar for Kids
- Almsgiving Activity for Children During Lent
- Lent Bulletin Board Ideas
FORMED
Check out all this free content about Discipleship on FORMED.org via the buttons below! For information on how to access FORMED content, click HERE.
Still looking for more? Check out the Lenten resources provided by the Archdiocese of New Orleans in the section below!