AECI Lent 2026 Reflection: 'Am I In The Picture? A Screen Journey' (Week 4)

AECI Lent 2026 Reflection: 'Am I In The Picture? A Screen Journey'

(With reference to Pier Paolo Pasolini's 'Gospel According to St Matthew 1964)

Opening Prayer

'Lord, you search me and you know me.

There is no part of me that you do not know.

You created me in your own image and likeness.

You looked at me, the work of your hands,

and you loved what you saw,

and you continue to look at me everyday

and you still love what you see,

because what you see is me as only you can know me.

I thank you for the wonder of my being

and I pray that I will be able to live fully with all that you have given me

and not suffer for the things you have not given me'

Amen

WEEK 4

Picture 7

Picture 8

'At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11: 25-30)

Children reflect so much hope, promise and potential. And in their candour and their openness to the scope and spectrum of the world around them, they can be inspiring.

RECALL: A moment when you were fully aware of 'the wonder of your being'. Who or what, as a child, were your sources of guidance and your sources of comfort and rest?

ASK: How do we 'receive' or glean the spiritual truths that take us through the day or the week ahead? Looking at Picture 6, what is the first three words that spring to mind?

REFLECT: St. Elizabeth of the Trinity wrote much about our call to 'abandonment'. Our 'burdens' can weigh so heavy and yet Lent takes us elsewhere. This coming week, in your own prayer space (or 'cell'), aim to be gentle to and within oneself, allowing any troublesome thoughts, feelings and words to drift into the day and night sky.