In this sacred season, we are gently called to walk towards renewal, discovering grace, courage, and deeper wholeness along the way. Below is a Lenten reflection on lament, hope, and transformation, inviting us to name our sorrows honestly, trust God’s quiet presence in the ashes, and allow life’s unravelling moments to reshape us.
Paul O’Shea, former Dean of Ministry at Rosebank College from 2011-2024, has been generous with his time and chanted for us one of the traditional antiphons, “Attende Domine” (“Hear us O Lord”) in Latin and English which leads into Psalm 51, traditionally known as the “Miserere”. The psalm expresses a believer’s trust and hope in God’s never-failing mercy and healing. Click here
A Lenten Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We give you thanks for this time together,
For the sacred gift of your Word, and for the countless
ways we have encountered your son.
We thank You for the example of the Samaritan woman
at the well, who came seeking water but found life in
your presence. Through her encounter with Jesus, she
listened, believed, and became a witness to others.
Thank you for the moments in this time together
where we, too, have experienced your living water –
refreshing our hearts, opening our ears to Your voice,
and renewing our spirits.
Lord Jesus, may the encounters we have had here take
root in our lives. Give us courage to walk forward as
witnesses of your love, to share the living water we have
received, and to bring hope to those who thirst.
Reflective Questions
What exactly is in my “water jar” today, worry –
hope, sin, gratitude…. or a confusing mixture of
everything sloshing about together?
Which “water jug” might Jesus be quietly asking
me to leave behind this Lent, the one I keep
refilling with anxiety, old grudges, or self-criticism,
so that, like the Samaritan woman, I can finally
stop trudging and start running with joy
to share His Love?
Extract from – Walking in the Wilderness- A Lenten Pilgrimage towards Easter. Lent 2026 Year A