Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Lectionary: 220
Lectionary: 220
Moses said to the people:
"Today I have set before you
life and prosperity, death and doom.
If you obey the commandments of the LORD, your God,
which I enjoin on you today,
loving him, and walking in his ways,
and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees,
you will live and grow numerous,
and the LORD, your God,
will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy.
If, however, you turn away your hearts and will not listen,
but are led astray and adore and serve other gods,
I tell you now that you will certainly perish;
you will not have a long life
on the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and occupy.
I call heaven and earth today to witness against you:
I have set before you life and death,
the blessing and the curse.
Choose life, then,
that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God,
heeding his voice, and holding fast to him.
For that will mean life for you,
a long life for you to live on the land that the LORD swore
he would give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."
"Today I have set before you
life and prosperity, death and doom.
If you obey the commandments of the LORD, your God,
which I enjoin on you today,
loving him, and walking in his ways,
and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees,
you will live and grow numerous,
and the LORD, your God,
will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy.
If, however, you turn away your hearts and will not listen,
but are led astray and adore and serve other gods,
I tell you now that you will certainly perish;
you will not have a long life
on the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and occupy.
I call heaven and earth today to witness against you:
I have set before you life and death,
the blessing and the curse.
Choose life, then,
that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God,
heeding his voice, and holding fast to him.
For that will mean life for you,
a long life for you to live on the land that the LORD swore
he would give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."
Responsorial
PsalmPS 1:1-2, 3, 4 AND 6
R. (40:5a) Blessed
are they who hope in the Lord.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Verse Before
The Gospel MT 4:17
Repent, says the Lord;
the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.
the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.
GospelLK 9:22-25
Jesus said to his disciples:
"The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected
by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised."
Then he said to all,
"If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself
and take up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
What profit is there for one to gain the whole world
yet lose or forfeit himself?"
"The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected
by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised."
Then he said to all,
"If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself
and take up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
What profit is there for one to gain the whole world
yet lose or forfeit himself?"
Meditation: Take up your cross daily and
follow Christ
Do you know the healing, transforming power of the
cross? When Jesus predicted his passion his disciples were dismayed. Rejection
and crucifixion meant defeat and condemnation, not victory and freedom. How
could Jesus' self-denial, suffering and death lead to victory and life? Through
his obedience to his Father's will, Jesus reversed the curse of Adam's
disobedience. His death on the cross won pardon for the guilty, freedom for the
oppressed, healing for the afflicted, and new life for those condemned to
death. His death makes possible our freedom to live as sons and daughters of God.
Surrender to God and he will fill you with his Spirit
There's a certain paradox in God's economy. We lose what we gain, and we gain what we lose. When we try to run our life our own way, we end up losing it to futility. Only God can free us from our ignorance and sinful ways. When we surrender our lives to God, he gives us new life in his Spirit and the pledge of everlasting life with God. God wants us to be spiritually fit to love and serve him at all times and seasons. When the body is very weak or ill, we make every effort to nurse it back to health. How much more effort and attention should we give to the spiritual health of our mind, heart, and will!
There's a certain paradox in God's economy. We lose what we gain, and we gain what we lose. When we try to run our life our own way, we end up losing it to futility. Only God can free us from our ignorance and sinful ways. When we surrender our lives to God, he gives us new life in his Spirit and the pledge of everlasting life with God. God wants us to be spiritually fit to love and serve him at all times and seasons. When the body is very weak or ill, we make every effort to nurse it back to health. How much more effort and attention should we give to the spiritual health of our mind, heart, and will!
The great exchange - my life for His victorious life
What will you give to God in exchange for freedom and eternal life? Are you ready to part with anything that might keep you from following him and his perfect plan for your life? Jesus poses these questions to challenge our assumptions about what is most profitable and worthwhile in life. In every decision of life we are making ourselves a certain kind of person. It is possible that some can gain all the things they set their heart on, only to wake up suddenly and discover that they missed the most important thing of all. A true disciple is ready to give up all that he or she has in exchange for true happiness, life, and peace with God. The life which God offers us is abundant, everlasting life. And the joy which God places in our hearts no sadness or loss can diminish.
What will you give to God in exchange for freedom and eternal life? Are you ready to part with anything that might keep you from following him and his perfect plan for your life? Jesus poses these questions to challenge our assumptions about what is most profitable and worthwhile in life. In every decision of life we are making ourselves a certain kind of person. It is possible that some can gain all the things they set their heart on, only to wake up suddenly and discover that they missed the most important thing of all. A true disciple is ready to give up all that he or she has in exchange for true happiness, life, and peace with God. The life which God offers us is abundant, everlasting life. And the joy which God places in our hearts no sadness or loss can diminish.
The cross of Christ brings freedom and victory over
sin
The cross of Jesus Christ leads to freedom and victory over sin and death. What is the cross which Christ commands me to take up each day as his disciple? When my will crosses with his will, then his will must be done. The way of the cross involves sacrifice, the sacrifice of laying down my life each and every day for Jesus' sake. What makes such sacrifice possible and "sweet" is the love of God poured out for us in the blood of Jesus Christ. Paul the Apostle reminds us that "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit" (Romans 5:5). We can never outmatch God. He always gives us more than we can expect or imagine. Are you ready to lose all for Christ in order to gain all with Christ?
The cross of Jesus Christ leads to freedom and victory over sin and death. What is the cross which Christ commands me to take up each day as his disciple? When my will crosses with his will, then his will must be done. The way of the cross involves sacrifice, the sacrifice of laying down my life each and every day for Jesus' sake. What makes such sacrifice possible and "sweet" is the love of God poured out for us in the blood of Jesus Christ. Paul the Apostle reminds us that "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit" (Romans 5:5). We can never outmatch God. He always gives us more than we can expect or imagine. Are you ready to lose all for Christ in order to gain all with Christ?
"Lord Jesus, I give you my hands to do your work.
I give you my feet to go your way. I give you my eyes to see as you do. I give
you my tongue to speak your words. I give you my mind that you may think
in me. I give you my spirit that you may pray in me. Above all, I give you my
heart that you may love in me, your Father, and all mankind. I give you my
whole self that you may grow in me, so that it is you, Lord Jesus, who live and
work and pray in me." (Prayer
from The Grail)
A Daily Quote for Lent: God calls us to coversion, by Augustine
of Hippo, 354-430 AD
"God calls us to correct ourselves and invites us
to do penance. He calls us through the wonderful gifts of his creation, and he
calls us by granting time for life. He calls us through the reader and through
the preacher. He calls us with the innermost force of our thoughts. He calls us
with the scourge of punishment, and he calls us with the mercy of his
consolation." (excerpt from Commentary on Psalm 102, 16)
THURSDAY,
FEBRUARY 15, LUKE 9:22-25
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
(Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 1)
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
(Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 1)
KEY VERSE: "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (v 23).
TO KNOW: This is Jesus' first prediction of the passion in Luke's Gospel. Peter had just made his confession of faith in Jesus, declaring him to be the "Messiah of God" (v 20). Jesus then helped his disciples to understand what it meant to be God's anointed one. The title "Messiah" had grown in popularity, and certain groups believed that the Messiah would be a descendant of the royal family of David who would come to restore the kingdom of Israel (Acts 1:6). Jesus told his followers not to reveal his true identity as many would expect a political leader who would set Israel free from foreign oppression. Jesus' way was not through world domination. His was the way of the cross. All who wished to follow him must imitate his example. Jesus set down three conditions for discipleship: to regard oneself with humility, to accept the trials of life with faith, and to proclaim the Gospel despite rejection. A disciple who wished to share eternal life with Jesus must be willing to let go of everything for the sake of the Gospel.
TO LOVE: What acts of self-denial will I practice this Lent?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, give me the strength to carry my daily cross throughout this Lenten journey.
Thursday 15
February 2018
St Sigrid.
Deuteronomy 30:15-20. Psalm 1:1-4, 6. Luke 9-25.
Happy are they who hope in the Lord—Psalm 1:1-4, 6.
The cost of discipleship is not less than everything.
Lent is a good time to reflect on the authenticity of our
discipleship of Jesus and on our willingness to accept its sometimes-onerous
demands. The three Synoptic Gospels record that, after the arrest of Jesus,
Peter ‘was following him from a distance’.
In a sense, this may be the situation of many professed
believers. This prompts the question:
‘Am I truly following Jesus or am I just trailing along behind
him at a comfortable remove, content to keep him in view and to observe the
action without being part of it?’
Christians are not reservists who are available for call-up in
times of emergency. Missioned by baptism to ‘fight the good fight of the faith’
(1 Tim 6:12), we are on active service all the time.
Saint Claude de la Colombière
Saint of the Day for February 15
(February 2,1641 – February 15, 1682)
Saint Claude de la Colombière’s Story
This is a special day for the Jesuits, who claim today’s saint
as one of their own. It’s also a special day for people who have a special
devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus—a devotion Claude de la Colombière
promoted, along with his friend and spiritual companion, Saint Margaret
Mary Alacoque. The emphasis on God’s love for all was an antidote to the
rigorous moralism of the Jansenists, who were popular at the time.
Claude showed remarkable preaching skills long before his
ordination in 1675. Two months later, he was made superior of a small Jesuit
residence in Burgundy. It was there he first encountered Margaret Mary
Alacoque. For many years after he served as her confessor.
He was next sent to England to serve as confessor to the Duchess
of York. He preached by both words and by the example of his holy life,
converting a number of Protestants. Tensions arose against Catholics and
Claude, rumored to be part of a plot against the king, was imprisoned. He was
ultimately banished, but by then his health had been ruined.
He died in 1682. Pope John Paul II canonized Claude de la
Colombière in 1992.
Reflection
As a fellow Jesuit and as a promoter of the devotion to the
Sacred Heart of Jesus, Saint Claude must be very special to Pope Francis
who has so beautifully emphasized the mercy of Jesus. The emphasis on God’s
love and mercy are characteristic of both men.
LECTIO DIVINA: LUKE 9,22-25
Lectio Divina:
Thursday, February 15, 2018
Lent
Time
1) OPENING PRAYER
Lord
our God,
You
love us and You invite us
to
share in Your own life and joy,
through
a personal decision.
Help
us to choose You and life
and
to remain ever loyal
to
this basic option
by
the power of Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who
was loyal to You and to us, now and forever.
2) GOSPEL READING - LUKE 9:
22-25
Jesus
said to his disciples: "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected
by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the
third day be raised." Then he said to all, "If anyone wishes to come
after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For
whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my
sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet
lose or forfeit himself?"
3) REFLECTION
Yesterday
we entered into the season of Lent. Up until now the daily Liturgy followed the
Gospel of Mark, step by step. Beginning yesterday until Easter, the sequence of
the readings of the day will be dictated by the ancient tradition of Lent and
of preparation for Easter. From the very first day, the perspective is that of
the Passion, Death and Resurrection and of the meaning which this mystery has
for our life. This is what is proposed in the rather brief text of today’s
Gospel. The text speaks of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus and
affirms that the following of Jesus presupposes that we carry our cross after
Jesus.
Before,
in Luke 9:18-21, Jesus asks, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They answered
giving different opinions: John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the ancient
prophets. After having heard the opinions of others, Jesus asks, “Who do you
say I am?” Peter answers, “The Christ of God!” that is, the Lord is
the one awaited by the people! Jesus agrees with Peter, but He orders and charges
them not to say this to anyone. Why did Jesus forbid this? Because at that time
everybody was expecting the Messiah, but each one according to his own mind:
some as king, others as priest, doctor, warrior, judge or prophet! Jesus thinks
in a different way. He identifies Himself with the Messiah, servant and
suffering, announced by Isaiah (42:1-9; 52:13-53:12)
The
first announcement of the Passion. Jesus begins to teach that He is the
Messiah, the Servant and affirms that, as Messiah, the Servant announced by
Isaiah, soon He will be put to death in the carrying out of His mission of
justice (Is 49: 4-9; 53:1-12). Luke usually follows the Gospel of Mark, but
here he omits the reaction of Peter, who advised Jesus against or tried to
dissuade Him from thinking of the suffering Messiah and he also omits the hard
response: “Far from me, Satan! Because you do not think as God, but as men!”
Satan is a Hebrew word which means accuser, the one who draws others far away
from the path of God. Jesus does not allow Peter to get Him away from His
mission.
Conditions
to follow Jesus. Jesus draws conclusions valid even until now: “If anyone wants
to follow Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross every day and follow Me.”
At that time the cross was the death penalty which the Roman Empire gave to
marginalized criminals. To take up the cross and to carry it following Jesus
was the same as accepting to be marginalized by the unjust system which
legitimized injustices. It was the same as to break away from the system. As
St. Paul says in the letter to the Galatians, “The world has been crucified for
Me and I to the world” (Gal 6:14). The cross is not fatalism, neither is it an
exigency from the Father. The Cross is the consequence of the commitment freely
assumed by Jesus to reveal the Good News that God is Father, and that,
therefore, we all should be accepted and treated as brothers and sisters.
Because of this revolutionary announcement, He was persecuted and He was not
afraid to deliver His own life. There is no greater proof of love than to give
one’s life for one’s brother or sister.
4) PERSONAL QUESTIONS
Everybody
was waiting for the Messiah, each one in his/her own way. Which is the Messiah
whom I await and whom people today await?
The
condition to follow Jesus is the cross. How do I react before the crosses of
life?
5) CONCLUDING PRAYER
How
blessed is anyone who rejects the advice of the wicked
and
does not take a stand in the path that sinners tread,
nor
a seat in company with cynics,
but
who delights in the law of Yahweh
and
murmurs His law day and night. (Ps 1:1-2)
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