Week One: Return to Me

Alleluia! He is risen! In this video, Fr. John Burns ponders the magnitude of the resurrection—how it changed the created world, permanently and forever. He is risen as he said he would! Alleluia! Happy Easter. Order your copy of Return today. https://www.avemariapress.com/products/return

In this video, Fr. John Burns reflects on the meaning of this holiest of weeks. It is during Holy Week that we see the completion of God’s plan, a divine rescue mission, to take on the burden of sin and free us from it. Christ the Divine Bridegroom, hears the cries of his bride, and sacrifices himself to save his Beloved. In this act, Christ illustrates what it means to love. How will you make space in your life to embrace the events of the Paschal Mystery this week? Order your copy of Return today. https://www.avemariapress.com/products/return

In week five, Fr. John Burns focuses on the quote from the prophet Joel to “rend your hearts, not your garments”. The prophet Joel is calling us to amend our lives, return to the Lord, and practice good works. In preparation for Holy Saturday, Fr. John reflects on the meaning of this day and most especially the example of Mary who remained hopeful and patient, even when she was unsure of how God would fulfill his promises. How can Mary’s example of patience and hope help you through the trials of life? Order your copy of Return today. https://www.avemariapress.com/products/return

In week four, Fr. John Burns reflects on weeping and lamentation as a remedy for coming to terms with the reality that things in life do not always go as we want. In the Bible, the Israelites cried out to the Lord when things went wrong—not as an accusation against God—but as a display of their continued faith in the him. In preparation for Good Friday, Fr. John reflects on the truth that God allows certain things to happen to bring about a greater good—without the cross there is no resurrection. Therefore, we are called to unite our suffering to Christ and trust in the divine will of the father. How can you be steadfast and trust in the Lord even through difficult times? Order your copy of Return today. https://www.avemariapress.com/products/return

In week three, Fr. John Burns reflects on the practice of fasting to return to the Lord. Fr. John affirms for us that it is in our suffering—our experiences of betrayal and rejection—that we are united with Christ and experience the victory of Christ on the cross as we carry our own crosses in life. In Lent, we are reminded that we are not alone. Christ walks with us every step of the way to bring us into communion with the father. How will you unite your suffering to Christ’s this Lent? Order your copy of Return today. https://www.avemariapress.com/products/return

In week two, Fr. John Burns focuses on the passage from the prophet Joel in which the Lord calls his people to return to him with their whole heart. We are reminded in this passage that God is inviting us into a relationship with him, a relationship of love and faithfulness. Like the people of the Old Testament, we sometimes forget about God, wander away from him, and become unfaithful. It is during Lent that we are reminded of God’s love and mighty works which leads to faithfulness and fruitfulness. How will you remember God this Lent and return to him with your whole heart? Order your copy of Return today. https://www.avemariapress.com/products/return

In week one, Fr. John Burns explains the significance of the temptation of Jesus in the desert and how we can learn from Jesus’s example of confronting the devil. In each of the three temptations of Christ, we see the confidence Jesus has in his father—a confidence that we can tap into to overcome temptation in our own lives. How will you overcome temptation and lean into the graces God offers you this Lent? Order your copy of Return today. https://www.avemariapress.com/products/return

Fr. John Burns explains how the season of Lent calls us to return to the Lord, and renounce all those things of the world that separate us from God. Lent begins with the practice of wearing ashes on our foreheads to remind us and the world that there is grave sin, disorder, and division that is against God’s will. As we wear ashes, we proclaim our rejection of sin and our desire to be in communion with God. How will you repent and return to the Lord this Lent? Order your copy of Return today. https://www.avemariapress.com/products/return

Fr. John Burns introduces you to the pillars of Lent—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Fr. John encourages you to reflect on what practices you will commit to this Lent and how they will help you to journey through the events of the paschal mystery to the glory of the resurrection. Although not an easy path, the Lord will give us the graces to endure the suffering as Christ did and grow ever closer to the father. Will you join him on this pilgrimage? Order your copy of Return today. https://www.avemariapress.com/products/return

Fr. John Burns, author of Adore, invites us to enter the desert and journey with him this Lent using his journal, Return. Order your copy of Return today. https://www.avemariapress.com/products/return