Let Us Begin Again
Return to Our 2025 Lenten Pilgrimage of Hope
“Let us begin again, … for up to now, we have done little or nothing.”
St. Francis of Assisi
On Good Friday, we lament Jesus’ death while living in the hope that death does not have the last word on our destiny. The crucifixion of Jesus is the preeminent example of God’s love reaching out to us. It is, at the same moment, the worst and best thing in human history. Franciscans, led by Blessed John Duns Scotus (1266-1308), claimed that instead of a “necessary sacrifice,” the cross was a freely chosen revelation of Total Love on God’s part. Franciscans believe that by the cross, God was reaching out to us! The cross, instead of being a transaction, was seen as a dramatic demonstration of God’s outpouring of love, meant to utterly shock the heart and turn it back (begin again) toward the trust and love of the Creator. Adapted from Fr. Richard Rohr’s Daily Reflection on April 10, 2020
As we enter Holy Week, we are invited “to gaze upon the image of the crucified Jesus and to soften our hearts toward all suffering.” Let this Holy Week lament “the mystery of pain, look right at it, and learn from it. With softened hearts, God leads us to a newfound compassion and deeper understanding.” God’s grace invites us to begin again, and again, and again.
Let Us Pray
God of Grace and Invitation, as we begin this Holy Week journey, we lament the things in our world that continue to test our faith. We ask forgiveness for our part in political, economic, and religious systems that fail to serve the common good. We know that there is no burden you cannot carry. Help us surrender our cynicism, doubts, fears, and even our feelings of hopelessness and despair. Guide us as pilgrims of hope journey together for the sake of your Beloved.
Reflection Questions
- As you gaze upon the image of the crucified One, look into your heart. What do you need to let go of?
- In what ways are you being invited to “begin again.”
Hope In Action
Beginning again doesn’t have to be a grand action. It can be simple, small, or an almost imperceptible shift in attitude, behavior, or direction. It is important to know what matters, so spend time in conversation with God about your call today. Conversion is a life-long endeavor, a marathon and not a sprint. Rest in God, build your resilience and then begin again.