Friday of the First Week
of Lent
Lectionary: 228
Lectionary: 228
Thus says the Lord GOD:
If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed,
if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just,
he shall surely live, he shall not die.
None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him;
he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced.
Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked?
says the Lord GOD.
Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way
that he may live?
And if the virtuous man turns from the path of virtue to do evil,
the same kind of abominable things that the wicked man does,
can he do this and still live?
None of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered,
because he has broken faith and committed sin;
because of this, he shall die.
You say, "The LORD's way is not fair!"
Hear now, house of Israel:
Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?
When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies,
it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die.
But if the wicked, turning from the wickedness he has committed,
does what is right and just,
he shall preserve his life;
since he has turned away from all the sins that he committed,
he shall surely live, he shall not die.
If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed,
if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just,
he shall surely live, he shall not die.
None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him;
he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced.
Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked?
says the Lord GOD.
Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way
that he may live?
And if the virtuous man turns from the path of virtue to do evil,
the same kind of abominable things that the wicked man does,
can he do this and still live?
None of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered,
because he has broken faith and committed sin;
because of this, he shall die.
You say, "The LORD's way is not fair!"
Hear now, house of Israel:
Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?
When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies,
it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die.
But if the wicked, turning from the wickedness he has committed,
does what is right and just,
he shall preserve his life;
since he has turned away from all the sins that he committed,
he shall surely live, he shall not die.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7A,
7BC-8
R. (3) If you,
O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
LORD, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to my voice in supplication.
R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
If you, O LORD, mark iniquities,
LORD, who can stand?
But with you is forgiveness,
that you may be revered.
R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
I trust in the LORD;
my soul trusts in his word.
My soul waits for the LORD
more than sentinels wait for the dawn.
Let Israel wait for the LORD.
R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
For with the LORD is kindness
and with him is plenteous redemption;
And he will redeem Israel
from all their iniquities.
R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
LORD, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to my voice in supplication.
R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
If you, O LORD, mark iniquities,
LORD, who can stand?
But with you is forgiveness,
that you may be revered.
R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
I trust in the LORD;
my soul trusts in his word.
My soul waits for the LORD
more than sentinels wait for the dawn.
Let Israel wait for the LORD.
R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
For with the LORD is kindness
and with him is plenteous redemption;
And he will redeem Israel
from all their iniquities.
R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
Verse Before
The GospelEZ 18:31
Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the LORD,
And make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.
And make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.
GospelMT 5:20-26
Jesus said to his disciples:
"I tell you,
unless your righteousness surpasses that
of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.
"You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother
will be liable to judgment,
and whoever says to his brother, Raqa,
will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,
and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court.
Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,
and the judge will hand you over to the guard,
and you will be thrown into prison.
Amen, I say to you,
you will not be released until you have paid the last penny."
"I tell you,
unless your righteousness surpasses that
of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.
"You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother
will be liable to judgment,
and whoever says to his brother, Raqa,
will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,
and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court.
Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,
and the judge will hand you over to the guard,
and you will be thrown into prison.
Amen, I say to you,
you will not be released until you have paid the last penny."
Meditation: Do
not be angry, be reconciled
Do you allow sin or anger to master your life? The
first person to hate his brother was Cain. God warned Cain: 'Why are
you angry? ..Sin in couching at the door; it's desire is for you, but you must
master it (Genesis 4:6-7). Sin doesn't just happen; it first grows as
a seed in one's heart. Unless it is mastered, by God's grace, it grows like a
weed and chokes the life out of us.
Do not allow the seed of anger and evil to grow in
your heart
Jesus addressed the issue of keeping the commandments with his disciples. The scribes and Pharisees equated righteousness with satisfying the demands of the law. Jesus showed them how short they had come. Jesus points to the heart as the seat of desire, choice, and intention. Unless forbidden and evil desires are uprooted and cut-out, the heart will be poisoned and the body become a slave to sin and passion.
Jesus addressed the issue of keeping the commandments with his disciples. The scribes and Pharisees equated righteousness with satisfying the demands of the law. Jesus showed them how short they had come. Jesus points to the heart as the seat of desire, choice, and intention. Unless forbidden and evil desires are uprooted and cut-out, the heart will be poisoned and the body become a slave to sin and passion.
Jesus illustrates his point with the example of the
commandment to not kill. Murder first starts in the heart as the seed of
forbidden anger that grows within until it springs into words and actions
against one's brother or neighbor. This is a selfish anger that broods and is
long-lived, that nurses a grudge and keeps wrath warm, and that refuses to die.
Anger in the heart as well as anger in speech or action are equally forbidden.
The Lord Jesus commands by grace - take away the anger in your heart and there
will be no murder.
Only God's purifying love and mercy can free us from
bitterness and anger
What is the antidote for overcoming anger and rage? Mercy, forbearance, and kindness spring from a heart full of love and forgiveness. God has forgiven us and he calls us to extend mercy and forgiveness towards those who cause us grief or harm. In the cross of Jesus we see the supreme example of love and the power for overcoming evil. Only God's love and grace can set our hearts and minds free from the tyranny of wounded pride and spiteful revenge. Do you harbor any anger towards another person? And are you quick to be reconciled when a rupture has been caused in your relationships? Ask God to set you free and to fill your heart and mind with his love and truth.
What is the antidote for overcoming anger and rage? Mercy, forbearance, and kindness spring from a heart full of love and forgiveness. God has forgiven us and he calls us to extend mercy and forgiveness towards those who cause us grief or harm. In the cross of Jesus we see the supreme example of love and the power for overcoming evil. Only God's love and grace can set our hearts and minds free from the tyranny of wounded pride and spiteful revenge. Do you harbor any anger towards another person? And are you quick to be reconciled when a rupture has been caused in your relationships? Ask God to set you free and to fill your heart and mind with his love and truth.
Eusebius, a 3rd century church father, offered the
following prayer as instruction for his fellow Christians:
"May I be no man's enemy, and may I
be the friend of that which is eternal and abides. May I never quarrel with
those nearest me: and if I do, may I be reconciled quickly. May I love, seek,
and attain only that which is good. May I wish for all men's happiness and envy
none. May I never rejoice in the ill-fortune of one who has wronged me. When I
have done or said what is wrong, may I never wait for the rebuke of others, but
always rebuke myself until I make amends. May I win no victory that harms
either me or my opponent. May I reconcile friends who are angry with one
another. May I never fail a friend who is in danger. When visiting those in
grief may I be able by gentle and healing words to soften their pain. May I
respect myself. May I always keep tame that which rages within me. May I
accustom myself to be gentle, and never be angry with people because of
circumstances. May I never discuss who is wicked and what wicked things he has
done, but know good men and follow in their footsteps."
Do you seek to live
peaceably and charitably with all?
"Lord Jesus, my heart is cold. Make it warm,
compassionate, and forgiving towards all, even those who do me harm. May I only
think and say what is pleasing to you and be of kind service to all I
meet."
A Daily Quote for Lent: Are you ashamed to ask pardon? by
Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"How many there are who know that they have
sinned against their brothers or sisters and yet are unwilling to say: 'Forgive
me.' They were not ashamed to sin, but they are ashamed to ask pardon. They
were not ashamed of their evil act, but they blush where humility is
concerned." (excerpt from Sermon 211,4)
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, MATTHEW 5:20-26
Lenten Weekday
(Ezekiel 18:21-28; Psalm 130)
Lenten Weekday
(Ezekiel 18:21-28; Psalm 130)
KEY VERSE: "I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (v. 20).
TO KNOW: Jesus was a teacher greater than Moses. Jesus told his disciples that their holiness must exceed the virtues of the religious leaders. He expanded and deepened the literal meaning of the Mosaic Law. Godliness must surpass mere external observances; it must penetrate the heart. Obeying the Ten Commandments, justice in all things, and compassion toward the poor constituted the ideal for virtuous living. Jesus invited his disciples to move beyond "an eye for an eye" (Mt 5:38) in seeking vengeance. He asked, can you love your enemy? Can you let go of bitterness, hatred and vicious thoughts, and give back understanding, forgiveness and healing? Jesus declared that anyone who had ill-will toward another must first go and be reconciled with that person before coming to the altar to worship God. Without a willingness to have one's heart changed, salvation could not be experienced.
TO LOVE: When have I last participated in the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to make amends with someone that I have offended.
Memorial of Saint Polycarp, bishop and martyr
Polycarp was a disciple of Saint John the Apostle, and a friend of Saint Ignatius of Antioch. He fought the heresy of Gnosticism. As Bishop of Smyrna (modern Izmir, Turkey), Polycarp was a revered Christian leader during the first half of the second century. The Asia Minor churches recognized Polycarp's leadership and chose him as a representative to Pope Anicetus on the question of the date of the Easter celebration. Only one of the many letters written by Polycarp has survived, the one he wrote to the Church of Philippi, Macedonia. At 86, Polycarp was to be burned alive in a stadium in Smyrna. The flames did not harm him and he was finally killed by a dagger, and his body burned. The "Acts" of Polycarp's martyrdom are the earliest preserved reliable account of a Christian martyr's death.
NOTE: Gnosticism taught that salvation was achieved through special knowledge (Greek: gnosis). They believed that the material world was evil, which contradicted scripture that everything God made was good (Gen 1:31). If matter was evil, then Jesus Christ could not be true God and true man, for Christ is in no way evil. Thus many Gnostics denied the Incarnation, claiming that Christ only appeared to be a man, but that his humanity was an illusion. Some Gnostics claimed that the God of the Jews was an evil deity who was distinct from the New Testament God of Jesus Christ They also proposed belief in many divine beings, known as "aeons," who mediated between man and the ultimate, unreachable God. The lowest of these aeons, the one who had contact with men, was supposed to be Jesus Christ.
Friday 23
February 2018
Day of Abstinence. [St Polycarp].
Ezekiel
18:21-28. Psalm 129(130). Matthew 5:20-26.
If you, O
Lord, laid bare our guilt, who could endure it? — Psalm 129(130).
Go first
and be reconciled with your neighbour.
Experience teaches us that
brooding on a breach in our relationship with another only reinforces the
problem. Far better would it be, in times of silent prayer, to plan a lead to
reconciliation. Fr Joseph Nasal recommends that we bring to such hurtful
situations an attitude of ‘premeditated mercy’—a willingness to take the
initiative in restoring the broken relationship even though we ourselves may be
demonstrably the innocent party.
Pope Francis urges all the
faithful to live out in their daily lives ‘the mercy which the Father
constantly extends to us all’. What more effective way to celebrate that mercy
during this Lenten season than to avail ourselves of the sacrament of
reconciliation with a grateful heart.
Saint Polycarp
Saint of the Day for February 23
(c. 69 – c. 155)
Saint Polycarp’s Story
Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, disciple of Saint John the
Apostle and friend of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, was a revered Christian
leader during the first half of the second century.
Saint Ignatius, on his way to Rome to be martyred, visited
Polycarp at Smyrna, and later at Troas wrote him a personal letter. The Asia
Minor Churches recognized Polycarp’s leadership by choosing him as a
representative to discuss with Pope Anicetus the date of the Easter celebration
in Rome—a major controversy in the early Church.
Only one of the many letters written by Polycarp has been
preserved, the one he wrote to the Church of Philippi in Macedonia.
At 86, Polycarp was led into the crowded Smyrna stadium to be
burned alive. The flames did not harm him and he was finally killed by a
dagger. The centurion ordered the saint’s body burned. The “Acts” of Polycarp’s
martyrdom are the earliest preserved, fully reliable account of a Christian
martyr’s death. He died in 155.
Reflection
Polycarp was recognized as a Christian leader by all Asia Minor
Christians—a strong fortress of faith and loyalty to Jesus Christ. His own
strength emerged from his trust in God, even when events contradicted this
trust. Living among pagans and under a government opposed to the new religion,
he led and fed his flock. Like the Good Shepherd, he laid down his life for his
sheep and kept them from more persecution in Smyrna. He summarized his trust in
God just before he died: “Father… I bless Thee, for having made me worthy of
the day and the hour…” (Acts of Martyrdom, Chapter 14).
Saint Polycarp is the Patron Saint of:
Earaches
LECTIO DIVINA: MATTHEW 5,20-26
Lectio Divina:
Friday, February 23, 2018
Lent Time
1) OPENING PRAYER
God of mercy and compassion,
you challenge us to be responsible
for the good and the evil we do
and You call us to conversion.
God, help us to face ourselves
that we may not use flimsy excuses
for covering up our wrongs.
Make us honest with ourselves,
and aware that we can always count on Jesus Christ
to be our guide and strength on the road to You,
now and for ever.
you challenge us to be responsible
for the good and the evil we do
and You call us to conversion.
God, help us to face ourselves
that we may not use flimsy excuses
for covering up our wrongs.
Make us honest with ourselves,
and aware that we can always count on Jesus Christ
to be our guide and strength on the road to You,
now and for ever.
2) GOSPEL READING - MATTHEW 5:20-26
Jesus said to his disciples: "I tell you, unless your
righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter
into the Kingdom of heaven. "You have heard that it was said to your
ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment,
and whoever says to his brother, raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and
whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you
bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything
against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled
with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent
quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over
to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be
thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have
paid the last penny."
3) REFLECTION
The text of today s Gospel forms part of a broader or more
extensive whole: Mt 5:20 up to Mt 5:48. In these passages Matthew tells us how
Jesus interprets and explains the Law of God. Five times He repeats the phrase:
You have heard how it was said to our ancestors, in truth I tell you! (Mt 5:21.
27. 33.38. 43). Before, He had said: Do not imagine that I have come to abolish
the Law or the Prophets; no, I have come not to abolish, but to complete them
(Mt 5:17). The attitude of Jesus before the Law is, at the same time, one of
breaking and of continuity. He breaks away from the erroneous interpretations,
but maintains firm the objective which the Law should attain: the practice of a
greater justice, which is Love.
Matthew 5:20: An uprightness which surpasses that of the
Pharisees. This first verse presents the general key of everything which
follows in Matthew 5:20-48. The word Justice never appears in the Gospel of
Mark, and it appears seven times in that of Matthew (Mt 3:15; 5:6.10.20;
6:1.33; 21:32). This has something to do with the situation of the communities
for which Mark wrote. The religious ideal of the Jews of the time was to be
just before God. The Pharisees taught: people attain justice before God when
they succeed to observe all the norms of the law in all its details! This
teaching generated a legalistic oppression and caused great anguish in the
people because it was very difficult to be able to observe all the norms (cfr.
Rm 7:21-24). This is why Matthew takes the words of Jesus on justice to show
that it has to surpass the justice of the Pharisees (Mt, 5:20). According to
Jesus, justice does not come from what I do for God in observing the law, but
rather from what God does for me, accepting me as His son or as His daughter.
The new ideal which Jesus proposes is the following: therefore, be perfect as
is your Heavenly Father! (Mt 5:48). That means: you will be just before God
when you try to accept and forgive people as God accepts and pardons me, in
spite of my defects and sins.
By means of these five very concrete examples, Jesus shows us
what to do in order to attain this greater justice which surpasses the justice
of the and the Pharisees. As we can see, today’s Gospel takes the example
of the new interpretation of the fifth commandment: You shall not kill! Jesus
has revealed what God wanted when He gave this commandment to Moses.
Matthew 5:21-22: The law says: You shall not kill! (Ex 20:13).
In order to observe fully this commandment it is not sufficient to avoid
murdering. It is necessary to uproot from within everything which, in one way
or another, can lead to murder, for example, anger, hatred, the desire to
revenge, insult, and exploitation, etc.
Matthew 5:23-24. The perfect worship which God wants. In order
to be accepted by God and to remain united to Him, it is necessary to reconcile
oneself with brother and sister. Before the destruction of the Temple, in the
year 70, when the Christian Jews participated in the pilgrimages in Jerusalem
to present their offerings at the altar and to pay their promises, they always
remembered this phrase of Jesus. In the year 80, at the time when Matthew
wrote, the Temple and the Altar no longer existed. They had been destroyed by
the Romans. The community and the communitarian celebration became the Temple
and the Altar of God.
Matthew 5:25-26: To reconcile oneself. One of the points on
which the Gospel of Matthew exists the most is reconciliation. That indicates
that in the communities of that time, there were many tensions among the radical
groups with diverse tendencies and sometimes even opposing ones. Nobody wanted
to cede to the other. There was no dialogue. Matthew enlightens this situation
with the words of Jesus on reconciliation which demands acceptance and
understanding. The only sin that God does not forgive is our lack of pardon
toward others (Mt 6:14). That is why one should try to reconcile yourself
before it is too late!
4) PERSONAL QUESTIONS
Today there are many people who cry out for justice! What
meaning does evangelical justice have for me?
How do I behave before those who do not accept me as I am? How
did Jesus behave before those who did not accept Him?
5) CONCLUDING PRAYER
From the depths I call to You, Yahweh:
Lord, hear my cry.
Listen attentively to the sound of my pleading! (Ps 130,1-2)
Lord, hear my cry.
Listen attentively to the sound of my pleading! (Ps 130,1-2)
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét