Jesus, Friend of My Soul: Reflections for the Lenten Journey

by Joyce Rupp

Overview

Bestselling author and beloved retreat leader Joyce Rupp has offered companionship and gentle guidance throughout the seasons in such books as May I Have This Dance? and Anchors for the Soul. In Jesus, Friend of My Soul, each two-page daily reflection brings our attention to the Lenten season, providing reflections for growth and inviting us to follow Jesus and become more like him.

“As Christians,” Joyce Rupp writes, “we look to the person of Jesus to learn from him.” Because our lives are filled to the brim with activity, it is easy to drift away from trying to live as Jesus did, and we find ourselves in need of time to focus on drawing close to him again and learning from his example. In Jesus, Friend of My Soul, Rupp guides us from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday illustrating both how Jesus called his followers to change and how his actions provide us a blueprint for growth.

Rupp helps us learn from the qualities of Jesus and the actions and teachings that marked his time on earth, including:

• how Jesus extended mercy after Peter’s denials
• how Jesus trusted in his Father, even as he experienced other emotions when troubling events occurred
• how Jesus spoke and acted with integrity, which made him a valuable and trustworthy person for others to listen to and follow

 

Each day’s reflection begins with a verse from scripture and a meditation centered on Jesus’ life, actions, and teachings that are applied to our lives. We are then offered a prayer and an intention to carry with us throughout the day. Each brief reflection gently leads us to new growth in our lives and invites us to reach new depths in our faith. Questions for individual or group study are included.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781594719653
Publisher:	Ave Maria Press
Publication date:	01/24/2020
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	250,631
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Joyce Rupp is well known for her work as a writer, retreat leader, and spiritual midwife. She serves as a consultant for the Boundless Compassion program. Rupp is the author of numerous bestselling books, including Praying Our Goodbyes, Open the Door, Return to the Root, Jesus, Friend of My Soul, and Jesus, Companion in My Suffering. Her award-winning books include Boundless Compassion, Fly While You Still Have Wings, and Anchors for the Soul. She is a member of the Servite (Servants of Mary) community.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Ash Wednesday, to First Sunday, of Lent

Wednesday: One Who Invites 6

Thursday: One Who Is Disciplined 8

Friday: One Who Prays 10

Saturday: One Who Sees Good in Others 12

First Week of Lent

Sunday: One Who Chooses Wisely 16

Monday: One Who Lets Go 18

Tuesday: One Who Grieves 20

Wednesday: One Who Enjoys Life 22

Thursday: One Who Lives Kindly 24

Friday: One Who Reconciles 26

Saturday: One Who Is a Friend 28

Second Week of Lent

Sunday: One Who Is Beloved 32

Monday: One Who Extends Mercy 34

Tuesday: One Who Is Humble 36

Wednesday: One Who Trusts 38

Thursday: One Who Obeys 40

Friday: One Who Loves Enemies 42

Saturday: One Who Is Perceptive 44

Third Week of Lent

Sunday: One Who Encourages Growth 48

Monday: One Who Has Integrity 50

Tuesday: One Who Is Compassionate 52

Wednesday: One Who Offers Rest 54

Thursday: One Who Affirms 56

Friday: One Who Maintains Peace 58

Saturday: One Who Forgives 60

Fourth Week of Lent

Sunday: One Who Is Patient 64

Monday: One Who Lives Gratefully 66

Tuesday: One Who Heals 68

Wednesday: One Who Is Nonviolent 70

Thursday: One Who Is Respectful 72

Friday: One Who Gives Generously 74

Saturday: One Who Conveys Positive Energy 76

Fifth Week of Lent

Sunday: One Who Brings Freedom 80

Monday: One Who Embodies Light 82

Tuesday: One Who Lives Simply 84

Wednesday: One Who Speaks Truthfully 86

Thursday: One Who Promotes Justice 88

Friday: One Who Values Nature 90

Saturday: One Who Comforts 92

Sixth Week of Lent (Holy Week)

Sunday: One Who Is Courageous 96

Monday; One Who Receives Graciously 98

Tuesday: One Who Understands 100

Wednesday: One Who Is Vulnerable 102

Thursday: One Who Serves 104

Friday: One Who Surrenders All 106

Saturday: One Who Waits in Darkness 108

Easter Sunday: One Who Is a Loving Mentor 110

Concluding Quote 112

Questions for Reflection 113

Notes 115

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Rich and enriching, Jesus, Friend of My Soul provides us with a beautiful companion for our journey through Lent: Jesus himself." —Deacon Greg Kandra, Award-winning journalist and blogger at The Deacon's Bench

“Lent has never been my favorite time of year, but Joyce Rupp makes the season a joyful adventure. She has reintroduced me to Jesus—a longtime friend whom I am able to see now with new eyes—and identifies simple yet profound ways I can model qualities of his life in my own. I love who I might become this Lent with this book in hand.” —Ann M. Garrido, Associate Professor of Homiletics, Aquinas Institute of Theology

“These daily Lenten reflections and their call to act on Jesus’ qualities will help you embrace Christ-like virtues and live in a grace-filled way.” —Terry Rickard, O.P., President of RENEW International

“Joyce Rupp has given us a treasure not just for the days of Lent but for all our days. As we walk her reflections, we meet Jesus as our friend, and day by day, as we fall more in love with his tender compassion, we begin to realize that he is calling us to be a friend as he was a friend to the whole world.” —Janet Conner, Creator of the Praying at the Speed of Love podcast