Lenten Journal - Women of Jerusalem: Compassion and Empathy

Editor's Note: For the next twelve days, leading up to Easter, Theresa Ceniccola will be leading us through a series of Journal Prompts related to the messages of Holy Week. We encourage you to spend a few moments praying with and journaling your responses to these prompts, or feel free to simply share your perspectives in the comments below. LMH

Explore the Messages of Holy Week in a Journal

The Passion of Christ is such a powerful story and yet sometimes I forget how much it relates to my own life today. I simply go through the motions during Holy Week and don’t allow myself to truly experience the lessons as God intended. I think this is because the traditional mode of “listening” in church is not enough to engage me.

I’m a visual-kinesthetic learner, which means I need to see and move in order to process information. That’s why journal writing is such a critical tool for me. I use my journal to help me reflect and examine different perspectives. I even bring my journal to church to take notes during the homily, write down scripture passages or hymnal verses and remain fully present and engaged during Mass. If you’re looking for a new way to explore the lessons of Holy Week, try keeping a Lenten Journal.

Day Seven - Women of Jerusalem: Compassion and Empathy

Describe a time when you showed compassion or empathy for another who was troubled or grieving. How is it a gift to yourself when you are able to help others? Name a time when you focused on others rather than yourself. How can you allow others to receive a gift by helping you? Write a thank you note to yourself from someone who has received the gift of compassion or empathy from you.