FRIDAY OF
THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT
Daily
Reading for Friday, March 28th, 2014
Reading 1, Hosea
14:2-10
3 Provide yourself with words
and come back to Yahweh. Say to him, 'Take all guilt away and give us what is
good, instead of bulls we will dedicate
to you our lips.
4 Assyria cannot save us, we will not
ride horses any more, or say, "Our God!" to our own handiwork, for
you are the one in whom orphans find compassion.'
5 I shall cure them of their
disloyalty, I shall love them with all my heart, for my anger has
turned away from them.
6 I shall fall like dew on
Israel, he will bloom
like the lily and thrust out roots like the cedar of
Lebanon;
7 he will put
out new shoots, he will have
the beauty of the olive tree and the fragrance of Lebanon.
8 They will come
back to live in my shade; they will grow
wheat again, they will make
the vine flourish, their wine will be
as famous as Lebanon's.
9 What has Ephraim to do with
idols any more when I hear him and watch over him? I am like an evergreen
cypress, you owe your fruitfulness to me.
10 Let the wise understand
these words, let the intelligent grasp their meaning, for Yahweh's ways are
straight and the upright will walk
in them, but sinners will stumble.
Responsorial
Psalm, Psalms 81:6-8, 8-9, 10-11, 14, 17
6 'I freed his shoulder from
the burden, his hands were able to lay aside the labourer's basket.
7 You cried out in your
distress, so I rescued you. 'Hidden in the storm, I answered you, I tested you
at the waters of Meribah.Pause
8 Listen, my people, while I
give you warning; Israel, if only you would listen to me!
9 'You shall have no strange
gods, shall worship no alien god.
10 I, Yahweh, am your God, who
brought you here from Egypt, you have only to open your mouth for me to fill
it.
11 'My people would not listen
to me, Israel would have none of
me.
14 at one stroke I would subdue
their enemies, turn my hand against their opponents.
Gospel, Mark
12:28-34
28 One of the scribes who
had listened to them debating appreciated that Jesus had given a good answer
and put a further question to him, 'Which is the first of all the
commandments?'
30 and you must love the Lord your God with
all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and
with all your strength.
31 The second is this: You must
love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.'
32 The scribe said to him,
'Well spoken, Master; what you have said is true, that he is one and there is
no other.
33 To love him with all your
heart, with all your understanding and strength, and to love your neighbour as
yourself, this is far more important than any burnt offering or sacrifice.'
34 Jesus, seeing how wisely he
had spoken, said, 'You are not far from the kingdom of God.' And after that no
one dared to question him any more.
Meditation: "You are not far from the kingdom of
God"
What is the best and sure way to peace, happiness, and abundant
life? The prophet Hosea addressed this question with his religious community -
the people of Israel. Hosea's people lived in a time of economic anxiety and
fear among the nations. They were tempted to put their security in their own
possessions and in their political alliances with other nations rather than in
God. Hosea called his people to return to God to receive pardon, healing, and
restoration. He reminded them that God would "heal their faithlessness and
love them freely" (Hosea 14:4). God's ways are right and his wisdom brings
strength and blessing to those who obey him.
How does love and obedience to God's law go together? The
Pharisees prided themselves in the knowledge of the law and their ritual
requirements. They made it a life-time practice to study the six hundred and
thirteen precepts of the Old Testament along with the numerous rabbinic
commentaries. They tested Jesus to see if he correctly understood the law as
they did. Jesus startled them with his profound simplicity and mastery of the
law of God and its purpose.
What does God require of us? Simply that we love as he loves!
God is love and everything he does flows from his love for us. God loved us
first and our love for him is a response to his exceeding grace and kindness
towards us. The love of God comes first and the love of neighbor is firmly
grounded in the love of God. The more we know of God's love and truth the more
we love what he loves and reject what is hateful and contrary to his will.
What makes our love for God and his commands grow in us? Faith
in God and hope in his promises strengthen us in the love of God. They are essential
for a good relationship with God, for being united with him. The more we know
of God the more we love him and the more we love him the greater we believe and
hope in his promises. The Lord, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, gives us a
new freedom to love as he loves (Galatians 5:13). Do you allow anything to keep
you from the love of God and the joy of serving others with a generous heart?
Paul the Apostle says: hope does not disappoint us, because God's love
has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to
us (Romans 5:5). Do you know the love which conquers all?
"We love you, O our God; and we desire to love you more and
more. Grant to us that we may love you as much as we desire, and as much as we
ought. O dearest friend, who has so loved and saved us, the thought of whom is
so sweet and always growing sweeter, come with Christ and dwell in our hearts;
that you keep a watch over our lips, our steps, our deeds, and we shall not
need to be anxious either for our souls or our bodies. Give us love, sweetest
of all gifts, which knows no enemy. Give us in our hearts pure love, born of
your love to us, that we may love others as you love us. O most loving Father
of Jesus Christ, from whom flows all love, let our hearts, frozen in sin, cold
to you and cold to others, be warmed by this divine fire. So help and bless us
in your Son." (Prayer of Anselm, 12th century)
 Discussions With Lawyers |
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Friday of the Third Week of Lent
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Mark 12:28-34
One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the
first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “the first is this: Hear, O
Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with
all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your
strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There
is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to him, “Well
said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is one and there is no other than
he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your
mind, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is
worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that
he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the
Kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Introductory Prayer: Lord, as
I prepare during this Lent to celebrate the great mystery of your
resurrection, I come before you in prayer so that you can form me and direct
me. I long for the sinfulness of my life to be burned away so that I can
glorify you with a pure and contrite heart. You know my sinfulness. You know
my pride and sensuality. I offer you my prayer today as a small token of my
love. My hope is that from the little I am able to love, you will teach me to
love with a magnanimous heart. I want to be part of your Kingdom. I do not
want to be on the fringes but to plunge myself into the depths of your love.
Petition: Lord,
teach me to love you with my whole heart, soul and mind and with all my
strength.
1. The Proper Hierarchy of Laws: The
question concerning the first of the commandments was debated much by the
scribes and Pharisees. There is a human desire to know what is first and what
is second: to be able to put things in order. We are often attracted to the
promise made by this or that guru about the one secret that will make us
happy, healthy, or successful in business. So, our natural curiosity is
attracted to know what the first commandment is, what we must do above all.
We want to say, “Just tell me plain and simple what I must do, and I will do
it.” Here Jesus lays out, plain and simple, how we must live our lives:
loving God with everything we are and loving our neighbor as ourselves. Does
his command resonate in my heart and actions?
2. Love Goes Beyond Formalism: The
scribe comments that these laws are greater than any burnt offering or
sacrifice. A sacrifice or burnt offering without love is empty. It is love
for God and neighbor that gives all of our sacrifices, trials and good works
their value. Love is at the heart of our perfection, and when we are keeping
this greatest of the laws – to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and
strength – then all of the lesser things in life will fall into place. Does
my life give evidence to this hierarchy of values? If not, what specifically
do I need to do to bring about the proper order?
3. Longing for the Experience of God’s
Love: Jesus congratulates the scribe for his understanding and tells
him that he is not far from the Kingdom of God. It gives us occasion to ask
ourselves, “How far am I from the Kingdom of God?” This scribe’s knowledge
was not merely book knowledge, for it is not in simply knowing a certain
number of truths that we obtain the Kingdom of God. Rather it was an intimate
knowledge of love – knowing in a practical way how to give one’s heart, soul,
mind and strength to God. Is drawing closer to the Kingdom of God my biggest
priority? What do I need to do to get or stay on track? Have I humbly,
confidently and fervently asked Our Lord for the grace to help me? Do I
ponder on and recognize every day God’s loving presence and providence in my
life? Do I realize and thank God for his love?
Conversation with Christ: Lord,
help me to keep in mind your commandment of love and to live it with all my
strength. I do not want to live my faith with a mere intellectual knowledge
of your commandments; I want to live it with a deep intimate knowledge that
bears fruits of true holiness.
Resolution: Before
beginning each activity of the day I will stop and ask myself how I can live
it with love.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 28, MARK
12:28-34
Lenten Weekday, Day of Abstinence
(Hosea 14:2-10; Psalm 81)
Lenten Weekday, Day of Abstinence
(Hosea 14:2-10; Psalm 81)
KEY VERSE: "There is no other commandment greater than these" (v 31).
READING: The scribes were the learned interpreters of the Law of Moses. They expanded the Ten Commandments given to Moses into 613 rules and regulations. One scribe recognized Jesus' skill as a teacher, and asked him which one of the Mosaic laws was the greatest. Jesus recognized the scribe's sincere search for truth, and he summed up the entire law with two basic decrees, which he saw as inseparable. They were the laws upon which all the other commandments were based: to love God with one's entire being (Deut 6:5), and to love one's neighbor as oneself (Lev 19:18). The scribe declared that the love of God and neighbor was worth more than any religious acts that one could perform. Because the scribe understood this principle, he moved a step closer to God's reign.
REFLECTING: Is my love of God revealed in my love of neighbor? Do I have a healthy self-love?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to love others with the love you have shown to me.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
Letting Go
Lord, sometimes you must get tired of hearing me tell you the way
I think things should work out. And sometimes, I think you finally give in and
allow me to learn the hard way. This Lent, let me relinquish all that and
experience the rest that only you can provide.
I am the Lord, your God: hear my
voice
‘Israel, come back to the Lord your God.’This cry of the Lord rings out to all of us. We have a God who longs for us, who loves us with all his heart, who heals us of our disloyalty when we idolise the work of our hands and make lesser things a god. God’s compassion for us overcomes his anger and disappointment; he will forgive and forget all always to take us back. Lord, I acknowledge you as my only God. Bring me back to you, for I have often put distance between us and made you an alien God. Help me give you my whole heart, so that I may become fruitful again and draw life from your wheat and honey. Help me appreciate that the love I have for my neighbour is the true test and natural expression of my love for you, as today’s gospel indicates.
March
28
St. Catharine of Bologna
(1413-1463)
St. Catharine of Bologna
(1413-1463)
Some Franciscan saints led fairly public lives; Catharine
represents the saints who served the Lord in obscurity.
Catharine,
born in Bologna, was related to the nobility in Ferrara and was educated at
court there. She received a liberal education at the court and developed some
interest and talent in painting. In later years as a Poor Clare, Catharine
sometimes did manuscript illumination and also painted miniatures.
At the
age of 17, she joined a group of religious women in Ferrara. Four years later
the whole group joined the Poor Clares in that city. Jobs as convent baker and
portress preceded her selection as novice mistress.
In 1456,
she and 15 other sisters were sent to establish a Poor Clare monastery in
Florence. As abbess Catharine worked to preserve the peace of the new
community. Her reputation for holiness drew many young women to the Poor Clare
life. She was canonized in 1712.
Comment:
Appreciating Catharine’s life in a Poor Clare monastery may be hard for us. "It seems like such a waste," we may be tempted to say. Through prayer, penance and charity to her sisters, Catharine drew close to God. Our goal is the same as hers even if our paths are different.
Appreciating Catharine’s life in a Poor Clare monastery may be hard for us. "It seems like such a waste," we may be tempted to say. Through prayer, penance and charity to her sisters, Catharine drew close to God. Our goal is the same as hers even if our paths are different.
Quote:
Catharine wrote a book on the seven spiritual weapons to be used against temptation. "Jesus Christ gave up his life that we might live," she said. "Therefore, whoever wishes to carry the cross for his sake must take up the proper weapons for the contest, especially those mentioned here. First, diligence; second, distrust of self; third, confidence in God; fourth, remembrance of the Passion; fifth, mindfulness of one’s own death; sixth, remembrance of God’s glory; seventh, the injunctions of Sacred Scripture following the example of Jesus Christ in the desert" (On the Seven Spiritual Weapons).
Catharine wrote a book on the seven spiritual weapons to be used against temptation. "Jesus Christ gave up his life that we might live," she said. "Therefore, whoever wishes to carry the cross for his sake must take up the proper weapons for the contest, especially those mentioned here. First, diligence; second, distrust of self; third, confidence in God; fourth, remembrance of the Passion; fifth, mindfulness of one’s own death; sixth, remembrance of God’s glory; seventh, the injunctions of Sacred Scripture following the example of Jesus Christ in the desert" (On the Seven Spiritual Weapons).
Patron Saint of:
Art
Artists
Art
Artists
LECTIO DIVINA:
MARK 12,28B-34
Lectio:
Friday, March 28, 2014
Lent Time
1)
OPENING PRAYER
God, we do not want to die;
we want to live.
We want to be happy
but without paying the price.
We belong to our times,
when sacrifice and suffering are out of fashion.
God, make life worth the pain to be lived,
Give us back the age-old realization
that life means to be born
again and again in pain,
that it may become again
a journey of hope to you,
together with Christ Jesus our Lord.
we want to live.
We want to be happy
but without paying the price.
We belong to our times,
when sacrifice and suffering are out of fashion.
God, make life worth the pain to be lived,
Give us back the age-old realization
that life means to be born
again and again in pain,
that it may become again
a journey of hope to you,
together with Christ Jesus our Lord.
2)
GOSPEL READING - MARK 12, 28-34
One of the scribes who had listened to them debating appreciated
that Jesus had given a good answer and put a further question to him, 'Which is
the first of all the commandments?'
Jesus replied, 'This is the first: Listen, Israel, the Lord our
God is the one, only Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with all your
heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The
second is this: You must love your neighbour as yourself. There is no
commandment greater than these.'
The scribe said to him, 'Well spoken, Master; what you have said
is true, that he is one and there is no other. To love him with all your heart,
with all your understanding and strength, and to love your neighbour as
yourself, this is far more important than any burnt offering or sacrifice.'
Jesus, seeing how wisely he had spoken, said, 'You are not far
from the kingdom of God.' And after that no one dared to question him any more.
3)
REFLECTION
• In today’s Gospel (Mk 12, 28b-34), the Scribes and the Doctors
of the Law want to know from Jesus which is the greatest commandment of all.
Even today, many people want to know what is more important in religion. Some
say that it is to be baptized. Others say that it is to go to Mass and to
participate in the Sunday Mass. Others still say: to love our neighbour and to
struggle for a more just world! Others are concerned only of the appearances
and of the tasks in the Church.
• Mark 12, 28: The question of the Doctor of the Law. Some time
before the question of the Scribe, the discussion was with the Sadducees
concerning faith in the resurrection (Mk 12, 23-27). The doctor who had
participated in the debate, was pleased with Jesus’ answer, he perceived in it
his great intelligence and wishes to profit of this occasion to ask a question
to clarify something: “Which is the greatest commandment of all?” At that time;
the Jews had an enormous amount of norms to regulate the observance of the Ten
Commandments of the Law of God. Some said: “All these norms have the same
value, because they all come from God. It is not up to us to introduce any
distinction in the things of God”. Others said: “Some laws are more important
than others, and for this reason, they oblige more!” The Doctor wants to know
what Jesus thinks.
• Mark 12, 29-31: The response of Jesus. Jesus responds quoting
a passage from the Bible to say that the greatest among the commandments is “to
love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with
all our strength!” (Dt 6, 4-5). At the time of Jesus, the pious Jews recited this
phrase three times a day: in the morning, at noon and in the evening. It was so
well known among them just as the Our Father is among us. And Jesus adds,
quoting the Bible again: “The second one is: You shall love your neighbour as
yourself” (Lec 19, 18). There is no other greater commandment than these two”.
A brief but very profound response! It is the summary of everything that Jesus
teaches on God and his life (Mt 7, 12).
• Mark 12, 32-33: The response of the Doctor of the Law. The
doctor agrees with Jesus and concludes: “Well said, to love your neighbour as
yourself, this is far more important than any burnt offering or sacrifice”.
That is, the commandment of love is more important than the commandments which
concern the worship and sacrifices of the Temple. The Prophets of the Old
Testament already had affirmed this (Ho 6, 6; Ps 40, 6-8; Ps 51, 16-17). Today
we would say that the practice of love is more important than novenas,
promises, sermons and processions.
• Mark 12, 34: The summary of the Kingdom. Jesus confirms the
conclusion of the Doctor and says: “You are not far from the Kingdom of God!”.
In fact, the Kingdom of God consists in the union of two loves: love toward God
and love toward neighbour. Because if God is Father/Mother, we are all brothers
and sisters, and we should show this in practice, living in community. “On
these two commandments, depend all the law and the prophets!” (Mt 22, 40). We,
disciples, should keep this law in our mind, in our intelligence, in our heart,
in our hands and feet, which is the first one, because one cannot reach God
without giving oneself totally to one’s neighbour!.
• Jesus had said to the Doctor of the law: “You are not far from
the Kingdom of God!”(Mk 12, 34). The Doctor was already close, but in order to
be able to enter into the Kingdom he had to still go a step forward. In the Old
Testament the criterion of the love toward neighbour was: “Love the neighbour
as yourself”. In the New Testament Jesus extends the sense of love: “This is my
commandment: love one another as I have loved you! (Jn 15, 12-23). Then the
criterion will be “Love the neighbour as Jesus has loved us”. This is the sure
path to be able to live together in a more just and fraternal way.
4)
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
• Which is the most important thing in religion for you?
• Today, are we closer or farther away from the Kingdom of God
than the Doctor who was praised by Jesus? What do you think?
5)
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Among the gods there is none to compare with you,
for you are great and do marvellous deeds,
you, God, and none other. (Ps 86,8.10)
for you are great and do marvellous deeds,
you, God, and none other. (Ps 86,8.10)
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