March 5: First Sunday of Lent

Prayer of the colours: red

a chance for new energy

Betty Shearman rscj

In the Christian tradition,
many spiritual energies are presented as gifts or graces. 
These are the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, which we receive in the Sacrament of Confirmation. 

These spiritual gifts are sources of energy,
And it’s good to recognise them,
            to use and
            to develop them so that they may be to be more
            fully effective.
We do need to be aware of these energies in our lives.

Picking up on the symbol of the rainbow as a sign of God’s presence and Covenant in the First Reading of the Liturgy on the First Sunday of Lent this year, we have chosen to connect with God through colour in Lent.
Each week of Lent,
                we will focus on the key kinds of spiritual energies we need and use,
                and on the colour associated with each one.

This week, we focus on our life-transmitting energy, often symbolized by the colour red. 
We see and recognise this energy
in our ability to expend effort,
                to work creatively,
                to work patiently despite resistance,
                to procreate,
                to express sexuality,
                to enjoy sensuality,

                to use our hands, feet and body in expressing    life, as in
        dancing, painting, playing a musical
                instrument,
We use this energy in our ability
                to find joy and peace in life and
                to be in touch with our life force.

To be aware of our need for energies related to transmitting life, it may help, and we invite you, this week
                to focus on the colour red.
                to think red during your day.
                to wear something red,
                to add red to the décor of your room,
                to notice people who wear red.

Whenever you connect with something red, consciously in  prayer, invite the life energy you need to flow in you. Let the colour red, wherever you see it, alert you to open yourself to the life-enhancing energies – the Spirit-  who keeps us alive.

Eileen Lawless rscj
Province of Ireland - Scotland