Feb. 29
Wednesday of the First Week of Lent
Jonah 3:1-10 • Psalm 51: 3-4, 12-13, 18-19 • Luke 11: 29-32
Jonah today is sent by God to the city of Nineveh. He really doesn't want to go, but he does go, and he tells the people to repent. The people, from the king to the lowly beast fast at the command of the king. They reform their lives and the Lord takes mercy on them and does not destroy them. For "a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn."
The Lord responds to our cry for mercy with a gentleness that can never be matched. His all encompassing compassion can not be comprehended. All we know is that it is real. How do we know it is real, because of God's own Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Because as the people of Nineveh repented at the words of Jonah, we have a greater than Jonah in our midst, Jesus Christ!
Feb. 28
Tuesday of the First Week of Lent
Isaiah 55:10-11 • Psalm 34: 4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19 • Matthew 6:7-15
Isaiah states, "Thus says the Lord: … So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it." Do we believe the words of Isaiah. Do we believe that the words spoken by God will be achieved in and through our own?
St. Matthew shares the words of Jesus with us today, that are spoken in every Mass and Rosary … the Our Father. We would do well to take time during Lent to reflect on these most powerful words of Jesus. To just take 2 lines each week and reflect on their meaning in our lives. This week:
"Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,"
To recognize the fact that it is OUR Father, who is in heaven. Holy (hallowed) is His name.
The Father who is the Father of all, shares with us his divine graces. He looks upon us with mercy and peace. Our response is to make holy His name. How we speak to one another, how we listen, how we serve, how we look is a reflection of God to others. Let us make the name of God holy this day and every day.
Feb. 27
Monday of the First Week of Lent
Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18 • Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15 • Matthew 25:31-46
"Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life." As we begin this first week of Lent, these words of the Psalm, give us hope and trust in the graciousness of our God.
The words of today's Gospel, challenges us to make a radical decision. Are we sheep or are we goats? "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats." Just as the still do in the Middle East, after the sheep and goats graze together during the day, at night they are separated in to their own pastures. To the sheep, they are given the kingdom prepared by the Father. A kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world. This is the eternal kingdom of God.
When I was hungry, when I was thirsty, when a stranger, when naked, when ill, when in prison … you cared for me.
Are we able to say we have done such for our brothers and sisters? If not, we have some work to do this Lenten season.
Feb. 26
1st Sunday of Lent
Genesis 9:8-15 • Psalm 25 • 1 Peter 3:18-22 • Mark 1:12-15
"The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan." Interesting, the Scriptures tell us that the second person of the Blessed Trinity DROVE Jesus out into the desert. What a powerful image this is. In reference to the word "drove," we often hear Jesus drove the spirit(s) from those possessed. But, here, the Spirit rather sends Jesus in the desert. While in the desert, with little if any food or water, Jesus is tempted.
Then St. Mark adds, "He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him." What were these wild beasts? Some scholars believe it was the evil with which Jesus had to contend. The angels (God's messengers) were there to assist Him.
Then St. Mark skips to John the Baptist's arrest. John's arrest parallels that of Jesus. Both arrested for doing the work of God. As John's ministry comes to an end, Jesus ministry is just beginning. In Galilee he proclaims the Gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
"The kingdom of God is at hand." In theological terms, Mark emphasizes the eschatological nature of Jesus coming. Eschatological means "end times." Were they or are we ready for the end times?
On Ash Wednesday, as we received the ashes, the minister and I spoke these words, "Repent and believe in the gospel", what a wonderful way to begin this holy season. To repent, to change the course of our lives. To trust in God's mercy and grace. To turn to God and be filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Feb. 24
Friday after Ash Wednesday
In today's Scripture, Jesus is confronted by John's disciples, asking the question, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but our disciples do not fast?" Jesus responds, "The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast." As we being our second "fast" day, we are reminded that the Lord is at the end of his ministry on earth and is preparing the disciples for his departure. Although they could not comprehend what this would mean, all too quickly this would be come way to clear.
Our time of fasting is in preparation for the Lord's glorious resurrection. Can we just spend 7 days fasting for Christ? He sacrificed for us! Can we not sacrifice one meal 7 times in an entire year for Him?
Feb. 23
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Luke 9:22-25
Jesus, today, tells the disciples: "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Taking up the cross is never easy. Even the smallest of things can be a burden at times. Sometimes the cross we need to bear, especially during Lent is an added burden.
Often during the season of Lent we think of giving something up rather than adding something to. We would do well to add something positive to our lives during these 40 days. To add a smile to the "grump" in the waiting line at the grocery store, or to assist and elderly person by buying some groceries for them, to offer a dinner to a veteran or returning military person from the war. A small gesture here and there can make an other-wise burdensome day for another, a brighter one. When we think about it, is that such a great cross to bear? Giving something up, or giving something to? How will we respond to the Lord's call this Lent?
Feb. 22
Ash Wednesday
Psalm 5
Today we look forward to the 40 days of cleansing. A time of renewal and optimism. Our response to the First Reading is, "Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned." As a petition, it bring us hope. As a statement, it shows optimism. To acknowledge our sinfulness is probably one of the hardest things we do in our lives. It is a humbling experience. It reflects the knowledge that we are not in control of our lives! We need to rely on one that is greater than ourselves.
It has always facinated me that so many Catholics come to Ash Wednesday, that do not come on Holy Days of Obligation. With Ash Wednesday being just the day before "Lent". But the sign, the ashes placed on our foreheads is a symbol to others that we are Catholic. What does that mean if it is not lived out the rest of our days. Everyday should reflect we are Catholic, not just on a day when we outwardly show who we are.
Jesus says today, do not look like the hypocrites. Excellent words indeed!
Feb. 21
Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Psalm 55; Mark 9:30-37
Today the Lord asks the disciples, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." For a group of men who had just been discussing which of them was the greatest, this was a very disturbing moment! A truly penetrating moment, a time of uh oh. If we take the time to reflect on this scripture passage, don't we as well say, Uh oh to that statement of Jesus. To be first we must be the last of all and serve all. It's quite the challenge, but one that confronts us often as Christians.
As we look forward to Lent, we put aside our own selfishness and serve others is the ultimate goal of any Christian.
"Then taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, 'Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.'" Do we welcome the innocence of our Christianity? Are we open to the wonders of God graces and creation? Or do we turn inward and only see ourselves and our own selfishness. This is a definitly a challenge. To set aside our own wants for the needs of others.
Let us "throw our cares on the Lord, and he will support us."
Feb. 20
Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
What is the commotion at the base of the mountain, from which Jesus, Peter, James and John are descending?
The Lord's disciples are unable to relieve a young man's state of possession from the mute spirit. The young man's father has brought his son for relief from this awful state. The boy was convulsing and foaming at the mouth. When asked by Jesus, how long his has been going on, the father states, "since childhood." The man says, "If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."
The Lord's response is priceless! "If you can! Everything is possble to one who has faith."
To which the father replies, "I do believe, help my unbelief!"
As we approach Lent, in just a couple of days, should not our approach to Jesus be the same, "I do believe, help my unbelief!" I think, most of us, having good to strong faith, find that there are those moments when we are not quite so sure. What if? Is it real? Can I truly trust God?
Jesus responds to the man's statement and rebukes the spirit, "Mute and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!" The spirit throws the young man into convulsions one last time and leaves the young man "like a corpse." Many thought he was dead, but Jesus takes him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up!
The disciple are confused, "Why could we not drive the spirit out?"
Jesus said to them, "This kind can only come out through prayer."
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, requires prayer and trust in God. In the seminary we were taught, "If you do not believe the Lord will heal through the Sacrament, it won't happen." Trust in the Lord is important both for the individual receiving the Sacrament as well as for the priest dispensing the Anointing. "I do believe, help my unbelief!"
Feb. 19
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
We heard in the Scriptures this week, that the Lod was unable to enter the towns and villages openly because of his healing of the blind man. Today the Lord returns to his home in Capernaum "after some days"! And it becomes know that he was at home. The people cannot wait to come to his home to see him. And crowd was immense, so much so that the door to his home was blocked by the people, keeping any more from entering. Then 4 friends of a paralyzed man bring the man to Jesus' home for the Lord to heal him. But there being such a throng of people that they could not enter the house, they decide to climb to the roof of Jesus' home and open it up, in order to lower their friend to Jesus.
Just imagine the thoughts of those people inside the house! What in the world is happening. But the Lord sees their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Child your sins are forgiven." (Mark 2:5) But the scribes were not happy. How dare Jesus forgive sins! So the Lord responds, "Which is easier to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven' or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk?'" And they were amazed when the man picked up his mat and went home.
As we look forward this week to the beginning of Lent, will we be amazed at the healing power of the Lord in our midst this Lenten season? Will we even be looking to find miracles in these 40 days?
This Sunday our response to the first reading is, "Lord, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you." Isn't that the truth in our lives? We have sinned, we need his healing in our lives.
May the season of Lent bring us such healing.
I encourage you to use the Lenten materials on our website during the next 4o days.