May They Be One

March 07 Tuesday
2nd Week of Lent
Psalter: Week 2 / (Violet/Red)
Sts. Perpetua & Felicity, martyrs

Psalm 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 & 23
To the upright, I will show the saving power of God.

1st Reading: Isaiah 1:10, 16-20

Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples. “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees have sat down on the chair of Moses. So you shall do and observe all they say; but do not do as they do, for they do not do what they say. They tie up heavy burdens and load them on the shoulders of the people, but they do not even lift a finger to move them. They do everything in order to be seen by people: they wear very wide bands| of the law around their foreheads, and robes with large tassels. They enjoy the first places at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, and they like being greeted in the marketplace, and being called ‘Master’ by the people.

But you, do not let yourselves be called Master, because you have only one Master, and all of you are brothers and sisters. Neither should you call anyone on earth Father, because you have only one Father, he who is in heaven. Nor should you be called Leader, because Christ is the only Leader for you. Let the greatest among you be the servant of all. For whoever makes himself great shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be made great.

Reflection: "Jesus calls us to protect and serve those in greatest need."

We place a great deal of trust in our leaders, especially our religious leaders. We count on them to teach the truth and to show us how to live by the example of their own lives. Given the importance that they have in our lives of faith, it is not surprising that reports of clerical abuse of children and vulnerable persons have rocked the Church. Of course, cases of abuse are not limited to the Church. They are found in every faith community, in schools and community groups, and even in families.

The Church should be a safe place for children and for those in need, but too often it has not been that place. Every member of the Church has a role to play in keeping children safe, in holding leaders accountable, and in helping victims find healing. In today’s Gospel, Jesus called the religious leaders of his day to account, reminding them that their role was not about power, but about service. Jesus makes the same call to religious leaders and people of faith today. He calls us to spend our lives protecting and serving those in greatest need.

Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ! Always remember, God loved you so much. Take care always!

Gospel Text & Reflection: © Copyright Bible Diary 2023 (Claretian Publications)

March 02 Thursday
1st Week of Lent
Psalter: Week 1 / (Violet)

Psalm 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8
Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

1st Reading: Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25

Gospel: Matthew 7:7-12

Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives; whoever seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Would any of you give a stone to your son, when he asks for bread? Or give him a snake, when he asks for a fish? However bad you may be, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

So, do to others whatever you would that others do to you: there, you have the law and the prophets.

Reflection: "None of us can do it on our own."

Anyone who has spent time around small children is well acquainted with the phrase, “I can do it by myself.” Being able to feed, bathe, and dress themselves are important developmental milestones for children. Plus, they offer signs of relief for exhausted parents.

But today’s readings remind us that we can prize independence and self-reliance too much. We all need God and the help of our brothers and sisters. None of us can do it on our own. Even Queen Esther, despite her status and wealth, needs to turn to the Lord in her time of need. It can be frightening to let go of control and trust in God. But Jesus assures us that God will respond to all of our requests as a loving Father. He will make sure that we have all we need. And then, following God’s example, we are called to do the same for our brothers and sisters in need. We should treat them as God treats us, with loving concern.

Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ! Always remember, God loved you so much. Take care always!

Gospel Text & Reflection: © Copyright Bible Diary 2023 (Claretian Publications)

February 23 Thursday After Ash Wednesday
Psalter: Week 3 / (Violet/White)
St. Polycarp, bishop & martyr

Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 & 6
Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

1st Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Gospel: Luke 9:22-25

And he added, “The Son of Man must suffer many things. He will be rejected by the elders and chief priests and teachers of the law, and be put to death. Then after three days he will be raised to life.”

Jesus also said to all the people, “If you wish to be a follower of mine, deny yourself and take up your cross each day, and follow me! For if you choose to save your life, you will lose it; but if you lose your life for my sake, you will save it. What does it profit you to gain the whole world, if you destroy or damage yourself?

Reflection: "God wants us to choose."

If the commercials are to be believed, people love having choices. Walk into almost any store and the options seem endless. Online stores seem to offer nearly infinite options to encourage us to purchase. Beyond buying, people often find it difficult to limit their choices and commit to one thing, be it a job, a community, a parish, or a relationship.

The choice that God presents is stark. There are only two options: life/good or death/evil. Clearly God wants us to choose goodness and life, loving him and following his commandments.

But Jesus points out that the decision is not as easy as it may seem. Jesus tells his followers, including us, that choosing life means taking up our cross daily, passing through death. Rather than seeking to protect ourselves, walling ourselves off from others, and tending to our own needs, we are called to lay down our lives in generous service to our brothers and sisters. Only by giving all we have and denying ourselves can we find riches that will never disappear. Only by laying down our lives will we rise to eternal life.

Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ! Always remember, God loved you so much. Take care always!

Gospel Text & Reflection: © Copyright Bible Diary 2023 (Claretian Publications)

LENT

The season of Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday before the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper. From then on until Easter Sunday the Church celebrates the Easter Triduum of Christ's passion and death, burial, and resurrection.

Lent is characterized by penance for our past sins, works of mercy especially toward the poor, and personal preparation for the renewal of our baptismal promises on Easter Vigil. Thus, Lent has two features: penitential and baptismal. Our tears of penance renew in our hearts and souls the water of baptism.

The ashes imposed on us on Ash Wednesday remind us that we are dust and to dust, we shall return and that therefore the entire life of a Christian should be marked by works of self-denial and generosity. The traditional discipline of Lent consists of constant prayer and reading of God's word, fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, abstinence from meat on Fridays, and works of mercy, especially to those who have less in life. What is important is that through prayer and good works, we allow God's grace to bring about our interior conversion. The sacrament of penance should accompany our Lenten observance.

Holy Week is the high point of the Lenten season. It opens with the procession with blessed palms and the gospel reading of the passion and death of Our Savior. The triumphal entry into Jerusalem ended on Calvary, but we know that Good Friday led to Easter Sunday.

The biblical readings and prefaces extol the virtue of conversion of life, the need to fulfill our baptismal promises, joyful acceptance of daily trials for the love of God, and unselfish service to all who need our assistance.

Caption: © Copyright Bible Diary 2023 (Claretian Publications)
Photo: © Copyright Archdiocese of Cardiff