Lenten Gospel Reflections

by Robert Barron

A Catholic Lent devotional

Genres: Nonfiction, Catholic, Religion, Spirituality

43 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2001

About the author

Bishop Robert Emmet Barron is an acclaimed author, speaker, and theologian. He is the former Francis Cardinal George Professor of Faith and Culture at Mundelein Seminary near Chicago and also is the founder of Word On Fire (www.WordOnFire.org).

Bishop Barron is the creator and host of CATHOLICISM, a groundbreaking ten-part documentary series and study program about the Catholic faith. He is a passionate student of art, architecture, music and history, which he calls upon throughout his global travels in the making of the documentary.

Word On Fire programs are broadcast regularly on WGN America, Relevant Radio, CatholicTV, EWTN, the popular Word on Fire YouTube Channel, and the Word on Fire website, which offers daily blogs, articles, commentaries, and over ten years of weekly sermon podcasts. In 2010, Father Barron was the first priest to have a national show on a secular television network since the 1950s.

Fr. Barron received his Masters Degree in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America in Washington DC in 1982 and his doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Institut Catholique in 1992. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1986 and has been a professor of systematic theology at the nation's largest Catholic seminary, the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary since 1992. He was visiting professor at the University of Notre Dame in 2002 and at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in 2007. He was also twice scholar in residence at the Pontifical North American College at the Vatican.

In addition, Fr. Barron lectures extensively in the United States and abroad. Cardinal Francis George calls Fr. Barron “one of the Church’s best messengers.

Fr. Barron was baptized at Queen of All Saints Basilica in Chicago and grew up at St. John of the Cross parish in Western Springs, Illinois.
WordOnFire.org - Fr. Barron's website launched in 1999 and currently draws over 1 million visitors a year from every continent. Fr. Barron posts weekly video clips, commentaries and radio sermons and offers an audio archive of over 500 homilies. Podcasts of his sermons are widely used by tens of thousands of visitors each month.
TV - EWTN (The Eternal Word Television Network) and CatholicTV broadcasts Fr. Barron's DVDs to a worldwide audience of over 150 million people.

Radio - Since 1999, Fr. Barron's weekly Word on Fire program has been broadcast in Chicago (WGN) and throughout the country (Relevant Radio - 950 AM Chicago) to 28 million listeners in 17 states. Fr. Barron also is a regular commentator on the "Busted Halo Show" on the Sirius satellite radio network based in New York.

DVDs - Fr. Barron's DVDs are used as powerful faith formation tools in universities, schools, churches and homes around the country. The series includes Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues; Faith Clips; Conversion: Following the Call of Christ; and Untold Blessing: Three Paths to Holiness.

YouTube - With over 180 online video commentaries by Fr. Barron, over 1 million viewers worldwide have made him the most popular of any evangelist on YouTube. These frequent, high-quality productions include brief and lively theological reviews of contemporary culture, including movies such as No Country for Old Men, Apocalypto, and The Departed, a three-part critical review of Christopher Hitchen's book God is Not Great, The Discovery Channel's The Jesus Tomb, the HBO series "The Sopranos", "Rome" and more.

Missions - MISSION CHICAGO features evangelization lectures by Fr. Barron at the behest of Cardinal George. These special missions and presentations throughout the Archdiocese are centered in downtown Chicago and attract business, civic, and cultural leaders.
Books - His numerous books and essays serve as critical educational and inspirational tools for seminarians, priests, parishioners and young people worldwide. His published works are also central to the numerous retreats, workshop and talks that h

Reviews

[Donna Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice walk through the events leading to and of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Space for reflection after each day’s reading, and a journaling prompt based on the scripture passage, were a really nice part of this Lenten devotional.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great Lenten devotional!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm reading the 2024 edition, but it's not in Goodreads so I pulled in an older edition.

I love Bishop Robert Barron! I could listen to him speak all day. He has inspired me in many ways, and he is the reason I have begun practicing the Liturgy of the Hours. Great man.

I will read Lenten or Advent reflections/devotional that he writes.

[Callie Hornbuckle · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband and I used this daily devotional together to reflect on the daily Gospel readings throughout Lent. I found it an excellent way to feel more tuned into the season - an alternative to daily Mass, which really isn’t practical right now with young kids. Plus, our discussions about the Scripture reminded me of the Bible study where I met my husband, so that was a nice bonus

[Cherlynn Womack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good devotional.

[Lauren Brown]

i dearly love walking through Lent with Bishop Baron’s reflections !!
also I feel like this is like not to count towards my yearly goals but I like being able to evaluate Lents of the past soooo do I goodreads this???

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even as a Presbyterian, I celebrate Bishop Barron's ministry and greatly appreciate his insights into the Gospels. This Lenten collection has been outstanding, and this will assuredly not be the last season in which it sees use in my house.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is scripture collection of daily Catholic gospels for Lent. Each reading is accompanied by a short homily and space for a written reflection by the reader. There are readings and reflections for each of the Stations of the Cross. This is an excellent guide for the journey through Lent.

[Michelle Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another nice set of reflections over the daily Gospel readings. I have really enjoyed utilizing these books for further prayer and reflection as a family during Advent and Lent.

[Betty Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very inspiring.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect book for COVID-19 quarantining during the Easter season. Each day, I was able to study the Word, to read the words of Jesus, to reflect on the life of Christ, and have a space to write my own thoughts about the reading and reflection of the day. At the back, there was a section that included the Stations of the Cross. I think without this book, my Lenten season would have been harder to focus on.

I like the way the book started with a Gospel reading, then there was a section in which the author reflected on the reading, and finally, there was an area for you to write your own thoughts.

I think I will keep this book around for next year!

[Kathy Nealen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains reflections on the daily readings during Lent of this year (Year C so most are from the Gospel of Luke). This part of the book is not very reusable for next year; and, it closely mirrors the reflections one can receive from Bishop Barron by email. It also includes reflections for Stations of the Cross. I purchased the book for this reason. I can take this book with me to Stations and review several of the reflections before the Stations service begins. I found this very helpful to me; and, I will be able to use it for Stations every Lent.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating is for Bishop Barron’s content, not the Gospel readings. I found the reflections in this book to be good, but not great. Oftentimes, the reflections didn’t really cover the readings and went off on tangents that didn’t enhance the Gospel readings. I also thought that the reflection questions (they were not written by the Bishop) often seemed even more off point.

[Ted Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became a follower of Bishop Robert Barron during the pandemic. My wife and I streamed daily Mass and bega and to look into Word on Fire evangelism. This is my second experience with Lenton Gospel reflections, having experienced his Advent Meditations also. Bishop Barron reverently shares the faith in his reflections in a way that leaves a lasting impression.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this Lenten devotional that I did with my husband every day. Usually good insights...discussion questions were a little weak at times. I LOVED the Stations of the Cross in the back:
made me think more deeply on each station.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lenten Gospel Reflections was a good daily reader for Lent. I like Word On Fire materials for the various liturgical seasons. It helps keep me focused on the season at hand. Although, this was a nice daily read, I found a few other books a bit more insightful this year.

[Kathleen Reum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful option for those of us that don't have access to daily services during Lent. There is also a thought-provoking presentation of the stations of the cross, which is usable year-round. A great book!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As part of our Lenten practice, after the daily readings we read the reflection from Bishop Barron.

[Donna Kirik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simple and quick daily readings for Lent. The best part is the Stations of the Cross that are included in the back of the book.

[Matt Eversmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a wonderful daily discipline to read each Lent. Happy Easter!

[Cathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great way to engage with my faith during this time of preparation. Just started on Ash Wednesday, and already have had a few "Ah,ha!" moments! Best reflections of any Lenten book I have used in the past.

[Becca McCracken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Often the questions didn't seem to match the reflections. Bishop Barron is insightful, but this is written for readers with advanced vocabulary and deep knowledge of theology. We tried to use this as a family but it really only resonated with me, the mom.

[Drew Tschirki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though Lent is long over I finally finished this book. How can you rate the gospel and a great commentary anything other than 5 stars?

Because Christ descended below all, “… even as we run as fast as we can away from the Father, we are running into the arms of the Son”

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bishop Barron is a blessing.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed sharing the Lenten season with Bishop Barron. This book was amazing! Loved learning more about the gospels. Looking forward to next year!

[David Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great Lenten devotional, and I loved the gospel stations of the cross at the end. Will use this again some year in the future for sure.

[Kathleen Concannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome book and it also includes the stations of the cross. It is a must read