Scripture: Romans 15:12-13 (NIV) – “And again, Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope’.  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Isaiah 11:1-3 (NIV) – “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.  The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him – the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord – and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.”

John 16:33a (NIV) – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.”

Message: In this Lenten season we have hope that, through the mystery of the Easter morning resurrection, we are freed from sin so that we can know the peace and joy that comes from the Creator through Jesus.  We are assured that, as followers of Jesus, we will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit enabling us to serve and bless others with His peace and love.

A few months ago, I was reviewing some information that a very good friend of mine at our Church gave me.  As I started to go through the information I noticed a card, and on it was one of Mother Teresa’s quotations.  She is well known for her many brief quotations that may be short, but are filled with spiritual wisdom.  This one is titled, “A Simple Path”.  It reads as follows: “The fruit of SILENCE is prayer; the fruit of PRAYER is faith; the fruit of FAITH is love; the fruit of LOVE is service, and the fruit of SERVICE is peace.”¹

So, I leave you with Mother Teresa’s “A Simple Path” to consider putting into action as you move through this Lenten Season and beyond.

Prayer: Dear Lord, my desire is to continue to grow closer to You each and every day.  Please help me focus on You and not get distracted with all the unimportant stuff of life.  Thank You for leading me in my ongoing faith journey, and for the many blessings You have given to me along the way.  Amen.

Doug Miller

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Hendersonville, North Carolina

1.     “Mother Teresa - A Simple Path” by Mother Teresa, compiled by Lucinda Vardey.  Mother Teresa © Copyright 1995.  Published by Ballentine Books, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, 1745 Broadway, New York, New York 10019, USA.  Page xxxix (page facing xxxviii).  Used by permission under the realm of “fair use”.