HOPE40 - Day 20 - Gather Together

Week 4: HOPE IN ACTION

click above to read in full

"Whoever is not with me is against me,

and whoever does not gather with me scatters."

~Luke 11:23

As we reach Day 20 of HOPE40, half way to Easter, thank you for being committed to this journey! You have been practicing hope in action, showing perseverance through prayer, fasting, and intentional living. There are several new people joining this week from the Diocese of Helena Eucharistic Congress and from all over the country. So, if you are new, welcome! Every step forward is a step closer to increased hope and alignment with God’s grace.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus casts out a demon, and yet, instead of praising Him, some accuse Him of working through evil. He responds firmly, teaching that there is no neutrality in the spiritual life...we are either gathering with Him or scattering apart. This is a powerful reminder that our faith calls us to choose Christ daily. Hope is not passive; it requires action, trust, and commitment.

Hope in Action: Making a Firm Choice

Commit Fully to This Journey: The second half of Lent is an opportunity to go deeper. Where have you been hesitant? What distractions are keeping you from fully embracing God’s call?
Recognize Spiritual Warfare: The closer you grow to Christ, the more resistance you may feel. Do not be discouraged! Every small act of faithfulness strengthens you for the journey.
Christ at the Center: Prioritize time with Him. Whether through prayer, Scripture, fasting, or acts of service, choose to align your life more fully with Him.

Let us Pray

Heavenly Father, Thank You for sustaining me through the first half of Lent. You have called me to hope, to trust, and to act in faith. As I step into the second half of this journey, give me the grace to stay close to You, to gather with You, and to remove anything that keeps me from Your love. Fill me with strength, perseverance, and renewed hope as I continue to seek You in all things. Amen

HOPE For Your Health: Full Commitment

As we continue with our 15-hour fasting window, remember that fasting is not just about physical discipline, it is about aligning your heart and priorities with Christ. In today’s Gospel, Jesus makes it clear that we must be fully committed to Him, gathering with Him rather than scattering. The same principle applies to fasting: we must commit fully and not waver, knowing that small acts of discipline strengthen your spiritual and physical well-being.

Practical 15 hour Fasting Plan:

Example Schedule: Finish dinner by 6:30 or 7:00 PM, begin your fast, and break it mid-morning around 9:30 or 10:00 AM.
Breaking Your Fast Well: Choose nourishing, whole foods to break your fast:
- Broth or herbal tea first (such as fennel tea for digestion and gut health)
- Eggs with sautéed greens
- A handful of nuts and some fresh fruit
- Protein with healthy fats (such as avocado or Greek yogurt)

If you are new and are wondering about jumping into the intermittent fasting schedule, but not sure if it will be doable to start at 15 hours, please reach out and I will gladly help you get going on your own schedule.

By embracing fasting with hope in action, you learn to discipline the body, quiet distractions, and reorder your priorities, both in your health and in your faith. Stay committed, knowing that each small act of faithfulness strengthens your ability to gather with Christ rather than be scattered by the distractions of the world.

HOPE For Your Marriage: Prioritization

Marriage is designed to be a partnership that gathers, not scatters. In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that division weakens, but unity strengthens. Just as a house divided cannot stand, a marriage that lacks intentional unity and proper priorities can easily drift apart.

In the busyness of life, it’s easy to let other priorities like work, children, social commitments, or even ministry take precedence over nurturing the marital relationship. While these things are important, when marriage is not deliberately prioritized, small cracks begin to form, leading to emotional and spiritual distance. Hope in action requires choosing unity daily by setting your spouse as a priority and making intentional decisions to strengthen your relationship.

Hope in Action: Strengthening Unity Through Prioritization

Put Your Spouse First - After God: Just as Jesus teaches that you cannot serve two masters, you must be mindful of what competes for your attention in marriage. Prioritizing your spouse means intentionally carving out time for them, even in the midst of a full schedule.
Make Time for True Connection: Quality time should not be what’s “left over” after everything else is done. Just as you set aside time for prayer and faith, you should create sacred time for your marriage...whether through daily check-ins, date nights, or uninterrupted conversation (with screens nowhere in sight).
Reorder Priorities to Strengthen Unity: When making decisions, ask: Does this bring us together or pull us apart? Choose habits, commitments, and routines that nourish your marriage rather than strain it.

Challenge

Between now and Saturday night, set a specific day and time for intentional quality time with your spouse. Whether it’s an evening walk, a coffee date, or a quiet conversation after the kids are in bed, commit to uninterrupted time together. Prioritize connection, and honor it as you would any other important appointment.

click on the pic to go to the original recipe

HEALTHIER SLOPPY JOES

I can't believe I'm sharing my recipe for Sloppy Joes. I asked my daughter what she wanted on the menu this week and she said, "Well, we haven't had Sloppy Joes in a loooooong time, so those would be good." I found this recipe a couple years ago from The Wooden Skillet and it ended up being a "keeper" even though it's been a hot minute since I have made these!

INGREDIENTS

Sloppy Joe Mix:
- 2 Tbsp avocado oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tsp honey dijon mustard (or plain dijon or extra yellow works)
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 3 Tbsp ketchup
- 1 Tbsp coconut sugar
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp worcestershire sauce (omit for gluten-free)
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

INSTRUCTIONS

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil and swirl to coat the pan. Add garlic and stir until fragrant, about 10-20 seconds. Add onions and bell pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, allowing onions to soften.
Add ground beef to the pan. Stir and mix until beef is cooked through, about 5-10 minutes. Drain excess grease.
Add mustards, ketchup, coconut sugar, soy sauce, kosher salt, pepper, tomato paste, chili powder, worcestershire sauce and apple cider vinegar. Stir to combine.
If you like your sloppy joes more “saucy” simply add additional ketchup and tomato paste. Otherwise, adjust any seasonings as desired.
Take a bun (spelt, whole grain, or maybe no bun at all) and place a slice of cheese (optional) on the bottom. Then add a scoop of the Sloppy Joe mix. On top of that add a few burger pickles, some pickled onions and then a little extra dijon mustard. Enjoy!

I came across this beautiful song yesterday and it is such a consoling

reminder that God is in control and "He is who He says He is".

When I Forget by Amanda Cook

So, half-way through Lent is a good time to re-group and ask ourselves where we are on our own spiritual journey. If we’re dazed and confused, no worries. Through Confession and prayer we are able to get back on our feet and on our way once again toward those promises of faith and a new life.

~Teresa Tomeo