# Seeking More: Turning to God in Lent
*2019-04-08*

> Bill Young reflects on the Lenten reading for Tuesday, April 9, 2019, sharing a quote from St. Aelred, a prayer of divine mercy, and an invitation to a talk on Catholic social teaching.

## Opening and Invitation

Good afternoon, I’m Bill Young. Today’s reflection comes from our booklet *Turning to God: Daily Reflections on the Lenten Readings for Mass*. The title for today’s entry is “Seeking More.” I want to remind you that tonight at 7 p.m. there will be part two of a two‑part series on Catholic social teaching at St. Maximilian Kobe in Pembroke Pines, Florida. If you’re curious about the Church’s social doctrine, I encourage you to attend.

## A Quote from St. Aelred

St. Aelred of Rievaulx, a monk who wrote a rule of life for recluse monks, reminds us:

“Let us always seek the sight, the knowledge, the love of the Creator, who is seen in Himself and in all His creatures, ruling everything without anxiety, upholding everything without toil, giving Himself and distributing Himself to all according to each one’s capacity, without any lessening. The Father is seen in the Son, the Son in the Father, and the Holy Spirit in both. God will be seen not as a confused reflection in a mirror, but face to face. From this vision proceeds the knowledge that our Lord calls eternal life.”

## Lenten Reading – John 8:21‑30

Today’s Gospel passage (John 8:21‑30) speaks of the world’s hostility toward God and God’s relentless love for the world, sending Jesus to save it. This reminds us that even when the world resists, Christ’s mercy persists.

## Prayer of Divine Mercy

Let us pray together:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord Jesus, source of life, pour out your mercy upon the whole world. O Font of Life, fountain of divine mercy, empty yourself upon us. Blood and water flow from the heart of Jesus as a fountain of mercy; we trust in you.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Eternal Father, we offer You the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, for the atonement of our sins and the sins of the whole world. For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Amen.

## Closing Thoughts

Tomorrow’s reading will focus on Jesus setting us free, a fitting continuation of today’s theme. I also look forward to hearing stories from my wife’s trip to Cuba. May God bless you, and I hope to see you tonight at St. Maximilian Kobe.

*In seeking more of God, we open ourselves to His mercy and to the call to understand and live out the Church’s social teaching.*