Readings and Reflection for February 24 Wednesday of the First Week of Lent

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Readings and Reflection for February 24 Wednesday of the First Week of Lent

FIRST READING
The Ninevites turned from their evil way.
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Jonah 3:1-10

The word of the Lord came to Jonah, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth.  Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he cried, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. Then tidings reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, and covered himself with sack cloth, and sat in ashes. And he made proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; let them not feed, or drink water, but let man and beast be covered with sack cloth, and let them cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence which is in his hands. Who knows, God may yet repent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we perish not?” When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God repented of the evil which he had said he would do to them; and he did not do it.

The Word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm51:3-4.12-13.18-19 (R.19b)
R/. A broken and humbled heart, O God, you will not spurn.

Have mercy on me, O God,
According to your merciful love;
According to your great compassion,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me completely from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin. R/.

Create a pure heart for me, O God;
renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence;
take not your holy spirit from me. R/.

For in sacrifice you take no delight;
Burnt offering from me would not please you.
My sacrifice to God, a broken spirit:
A broken and humbled heart, O God, you will not spurn. R/.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL Joel 2:12-13
Glory and praise to you, O Christ. Even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, for I am gracious and merciful. Glory and praise to you, O Christ.

GOSPEL  
“No sign shall be given to this generation except the sign of Jonah.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 11:29-32)

At that time: When the crowds were increasing, Jesus began to say, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the men of Nineveh, so will the Son of man be to this generation. The queen of the South will arise at the judgement with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the Wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgement with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection
The entire book of Jonah is for me a story of God’s unending faith in humanity; the fact that God does not give up on the creature he made; the fact that God is ever ready to give us a second chance again and again. God could have simply destroyed the Ninevites but he gave them a second chance by sending Jonah to them. Jonah himself tried to escape from God but God caught him, brought him back and gave him another chance. Jonah wasn’t even qualified as a messenger of God yet this irresponsible-runaway- preacher became instrumental to the salvation of an entire city. Jonah didn’t even ask them to repent. He didn’t say “change your evil ways. Be good children of God. Stop sinning, etc.” Jonah just went about the city announcing doom and destruction. It was a hopeless situation for the people but they refused to resign themselves to FATE. They instinctively knew that despite whatever their past had been, what matters to God is “right now.” They heard the message of doom but believed in their hearts that there was still hope.

Do not conclude about yourself based on what you see now, develop a new vision for yourself, call yourself a Saint and start working on yourself, begin to make efforts, do something about that which you do not like about you, ask for help, open the roof of houses like the four men who brought their paralytic to Jesus, talk to someone today as to how to come out of your spiritual captivity. You see, the point is: God wants to see the efforts you are making.  At times, like these people, we judge ourselves based on appearances; we consider ourselves good for nothing because of what our physical eyes can see. We lack faith to realize that we have God inside us; that we are capable of much more than we think. We see the son-of-a-carpenter in ourselves but we don’t believe in the Saint we could be. Never judge a book by its cover. Never conclude about yourself based on your past; don’t give up on yourself, keep believing, keep being positive; keep making efforts.

Readings and Reflection for February 23 Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

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Readings and Reflection for February 23 Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

FIRST READING
“My word shall accomplish that which I intend. ”
A reading from the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 55:10-11)

Thus says the Lord: “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I intend, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM    Ps 34:4-5.6-7.16-17.18-19 (R. see 18b)
R/. The Lord rescues them in all their distress.

Glorify the Lord with me;
together let us praise his name.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
from all my terrors he set me free. R/.

Look towards him and be radiant;
let your faces not be abashed.
This lowly one called; the Lord heard,
And rescued him from all his distress. R/.

R/. The Lord rescues them in all their distress.

The Lord turns his eyes to the just,
and his ears are open to their cry.
The Lord turns his face against the wicked
to destroy their remembrance from the earth. R/.

When the just cry out, the Lord hears,
and rescues them in all their distress.
The Lord is close to the broken-hearted;
those whose spirit is crushed he will save. R/.

VERSE  BEFORE THE GOSPEL Matthew4:4b
Glory and praise to you, O Christ. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Glory and praise to you, O Christ.

GOSPEL   
“Pray then like this.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 6:7-15)

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “In praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:

Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us;
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection
Prayer is a way of establishing a relationship with God. It is a dialogue with God. Through prayer we talk to God. Here Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray. There is a proper conduct for prayer. However, certain patterns of prayer, which he attributes to the Gentiles-here people who do not know God-are bad. The Gentiles use so many words, thinking that by being verbose and flowery in the use of words, their needs. And so, he taught them how to address God their father in prayer. God is really in heaven but very close to us. We should give God due respect, but could as well ask for God’s assistance. God sustains us, so we, like children, should ask for our daily bread. Above all, we should ask for forgiveness provided we are willing to forgive those who offend us. Lastly we pray to God against temptations. Draw up your prayer plan.

Readings and Reflection for February 22 Monday the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle

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Readings and Reflection for February 22 Monday the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle

FIRST READING
I myself am a fellow elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ.
A reading from the first Letter of Saint Peter (1 Peter 5:1-4)

Beloved: I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed. Tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd is manifested you will obtain the unfading crown of glory.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 23:1 -3a.3b-4.5.b
R. The Lord is my shepherd;
     there is nothing I shall want.

The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me;
he revives my soul. R.

He guides me along the right path,
for the sake of his name.
Though I should walk in the
valley of the shadow of death,
no evil would I fear, for you are with me.
Your crook and your staff will give me comfort. R.

R. The Lord is my shepherd;
     there is nothing I shall want.

You have prepared a table before me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing. R.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
for length of days unending. R.

Alleluia  Matthew 16:18
Alleluia You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Alleluia


GOSPEL              
“You are Peter, and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 16:13-19)

At that time: When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection
Today we celebrate the ‘Chair of Saint Peter’. The Chair of Saint Peter represents the authority Jesus gave to Peter among the twelve apostles as their leader. Today’s Gospel brings into focus the election of Peter and his successors. When Jesus asked his disciples their perception and the peoples’ perception of him, he received several answers. It was only Simon who answered “you are the Son of the living God.” Instantly, Jesus reminded Simon that his answer was a revelation from God. Nonetheless, he changed his name from Simon to peter, and placed authority and responsibility of the new people of God, the church, on him. It is incontrovertible to argue, as some often do, that peter is not the first Pope. Jesus himself gave him this privilege, because it was revealed by the Father. We should always try to conform to the teachings of the church, for when the Church speaks through her leaders, it is Jesus that speaks. Listen.

Readings and Reflection for Sunday February 21, First Sunday of Lent

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Readings and Reflection for Sunday February 21, First Sunday of Lent

FIRST READING                                                       
God’s covenant with Noah, delivered from the waters of the flood.
A reading from the Book of Genesis (Genesis 9:8-15)

God said to Noah and to his sons with him, “behold, I establish my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the  birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” And God said, “this is the sign of the covenant which I make between me and you every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 25:4-5ab.6 and 7bc. 8-9 (R. cf. 10)
R/.  All your paths, O Lord, are mercy and faithfulness,
for those who keep your covenant.

O Lord, make me know your ways.
Teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth, and teach me;
For you are the God of my salvation. R.

Remember your compassion, O Lord,
And your merciful love,
For they are from of old.
In your merciful love remember me,
Because of your goodness, O Lord. R.                                

Good and upright is the Lord;
He shows the way to sinners.
He guide the humble in right judgement;
To the humble he teaches his way. R.

SECOND READING                                          
“Baptism now saves you.”
A reading from the Letter of Saint Peter (1 Peter 3:18-22)

Beloved: Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit; in which he went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.

The word of the Lord.


VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL Matthew 4:4b
Glory and praise to you, O Christ. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Glory and praise to you, O Christ.

GOSPEL                                                                                         
“He was tempted by satan, and the angels ministered to him.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 1:12-15)

At that time: the spirit drove Jesus out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to him. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of God, and saying, “the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the Gospel.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection
In today’s Gospel Jesus goes into the desert, Lent, a desert experience, revives our Christian life through traditional practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  During these forty days, returning to basics, we make a fresh start to breathe new life into our Christian identity.  Our Sundays this Lent centers on covenant. In the Old Testament the old covenant was made and renewed.  Now, in Christ, a new covenant is given to us; we were made part of it at baptism. Christ covenant, like that of a faithful spouse, is for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health.  Can we say this of our response?  Sometimes, drifting from the Lord, we look for love in the wrong places and are inevitably disappointed. Prayer, fasting and acts of charity are ways of assessing and reviving our fidelity to Christ.  The Lord is faithful to us.  Are we faithful to Him? 

Readings and Reflection for February 20 Saturday after Ash Wednesday

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Readings and Reflection for February 20 Saturday after Ash Wednesday

Entrance Antiphon
Answer us, Lord, for your mercy is kind; in the abundance of your mercies, look upon us.

Collect
Almighty ever-living God, look with compassion on our weakness and ensure us your protection by stretching forth the right hand of your majesty. Through our Lord..

FIRST READING
“If you pour yourself out for the hungry, then shall your light rise in the darkness.”
A reading from the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 58:9c-14)

Thus says the Lord: “If you take away from the midst of you the yoke, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your desire with good things, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in. “If you turn back your foot from the sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the Lord honourable; if you honour it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; then you shall take delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride upon the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 86 :1-2.3-4.5-6 (R. 11ab)
R/. Teach me, O Lord, your way,
So that I may walk in your truth.

Turn your ear, O Lord, and answer me,
For I am poor and needy.
Preserve my soul, for I am faithful;
save the servant who trusts in you, my God. R.

Have mercy on me, O Lord, 
For I cry to you all the day long.
Gladden the soul of your servant,
For I lift up my soul to you, O Lord. R.

R/. Teach me, O Lord, your way,
So that I may walk in your truth.

O Lord, you are good and forgiving,
Full of mercy to all who call to you.
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer,
And attend to my voice in supplication. R.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL Psalm95:7d- 8a
Glory and praise to you, O Christ. I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord, but that he turn from his way and live. Glory and praise to you, O Christ.

GOSPEL               
“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 5:27-32)

At that time: Jesus saw a tax collector, named Levi, sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he left everything, and rose and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house; and there was a large company of tax collectors and others sitting at table with them. And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

The Gospel of the Lord.


Today’s Reflection

Living in denial is a terrible misfortune. No Christian should be there. The scribes and Pharisees in their holier than thou attitude categorized the tax collectors and others as sinners undeserving of the company of Jesus. Jesus however retorts that it is not those who are well who need the doctor, but the sick. The church is both a gallery of saints and a hospital for sinners. Am I so wrapped up in my virtue that I feel I do not need Jesus? Do I feel I do not need to go to confession? Am I resolved to be less judgemental of others who sin differently? Am I resolved to respond more promptly to the invitation of Jesus to follow him?

Readings and Reflection for February 19 Friday after Ash Wednesday

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Readings and Reflection for February 19 Friday after Ash Wednesday

Entrance Antiphon
The Lord heard and had mercy on me; the Lord became my helper.


Collect
Show gracious favour, O Lord, we pray, to the works of penance. We have begun, that we may have strength to accomplish with sincerity the bodily observances we undertake. Through our Lord.

FIRST READING
Is such the fast that I choose?
A reading from the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 58:1-9a)

Thus says the Lord GOD. “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgements, they delight to draw near to God. ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it? ’Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a man to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a rush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord? “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, Here I am.”

 The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm51:3-4.5-6ab.18-19(R.19bc)
R/. A broken and humbled heart,
O God, you will not spurn.

Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your merciful love;
according to your great compassion,
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me completely from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin. R/.

My transgressions, truly I know them;
My sin is always before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned;
What is evil in your sight I have done. R/.

R/. A broken and humbled heart,
O God, you will not spurn.

For in sacrifice you take no delight;
Burnt offering from me would not please you.
My sacrifice to God, a broken spirit:
A broken and humbled heart,
O God, you will not spurn. R/.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL  Amos 5:14
Glory and praise to you, O Christ. Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and the Lord will be with you. Glory and praise to you, O Christ.

GOSPEL               
“When the bridegroom is taken from them, then they will fast.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 9:14-15)

At that time: The disciples of John came to Jesus, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection
There is no doubt that fasting is a form of self-denial. It is willful refusal to eat food for the sake of a cause. Religious fasting is abstaining from food to show piety and commitment to God. It differs from fasting which some social activists could undergo to press down on their agitation. Such fasting is fasting as a protest. Some people could fast from food because of health reasons, such as some laboratory tests, and fasting to reduce obesity. Christian fasting however, should be borne out of love for God, and has to be accompanied with prayer. The disciples of John were used to fasting but were surprised that those of Jesus were not fasting; hence, they asked why they and the Pharisees fast, but not Jesus’ disciples, Jesus answered them in a dismissive way indicating a tone that there is a fundamental difference between his disciples and the rest.

Readings and Reflection for February 18 Thursday after Ash Wednesday

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Readings and Reflection for February 18 Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Entrance
When I cried to the Lord, he heard my voice; he rescued me from those who attack me. Entrust your cares to the Lord, and he will support you.

Collect
Prompt our actions with your inspiration we pray, O Lord, and further them with your constant help, that all we do may always begin from you and by you be brought to completion. Through our Lord..

FIRST READING   
“I set before you blessing and curse.”
A reading from the Book of Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Moses spoke to the people, saying, “See, I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you this day, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his ordinances, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you are entering to take possession of it. But if your heart tums away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare  to you this day, that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land which you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice, and clinging to him; for that means life to you and length of days, that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 1:1-2.3.4and6(R.40:5ab)
R/. Blessed the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.

Blessed indeed is the man
Who follows not the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stands in the path with sinners,
Nor abides in the company of scorners,
But whose delight is the law of the Lord,
And who ponders his law day and night. R.

He is like a tree that is planted
Beside the flowing waters,
That yields its fruit in due season,
And whose leaves shall never fade;
and all that he does shall prosper. R.

Not so are the wicked, not so!
For they, like winnowed chaff,
Shall be driven away by the wind.
For the Lord knows the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked will perish. R

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL Matthew 4: 17

Glory and praise to you, O Christ.
Repent, says the Lord, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Glory and praise to you, O Christ.

GOSPEL
“Whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 9:22-25)

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” And he said to all, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection

The greatest victory a man can have is to conquer himself. Often times we look to the external battles while the real ones lie within. The struggle with pride, lust, greed, slothfulness, envy and jealousy; all these demand some measure of decisiveness from us to choose life or death, prosperity or disaster. If we are courageous enough to live in the light of God’s ways by keeping his commandment does not add to God’s glory, instead, it helps us to live liberated from the clutches of sin and enter into the glory of God’s children, but first, deny yourself! Are you ready to do that? Chose life and you will live and increase.

Readings and Reflection for February 17, Ash Wednesday

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Readings and Reflection for February 17, Ash Wednesday

Entrance Antiphon   Wisdom 11:24.25.27
You are merciful to all, O Lord, and despise nothing that you have made. You overlook the sins of man, to bring him to repentance, for you are the Lord our God.

The Penitential Act is omitted, and the Distribution of Ashes takes its place.


Collect
Grant, O Lord, that we may begin with holy fasting this campaign of Christian’s service, so that we take up battle against spiritual evils, we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint. Through our Lord.

FIRSTREADING 
“Tear your hearts and not your garments.”
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Joel 2:12-18

“Even now,” says the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and tear your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy, and repents of evil. Who knows whether he will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, a cereal offering and a drink offering for the Lord, your God? Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the people. Sanctify the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber. Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep and say, “Spare your people, O Lord, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?”’ Then the Lord became jealous for his land, and had pity on his people.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM   Ps 51:3-4.5-6ab.12- 13.14 and 17 (R. cf. 3a)
R/. Have mercy, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your merciful love;
according to your great compassion,
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me completely from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin. R.

My transgressions, truly I know them;
my sin is always before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned;
what is evil in your sight I have done. R.

R/. Have mercy, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Create a pure heart for me, O God;
Renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence;
take not your holy spirit from me. R.

Restore in me the joy of your salvation;
Sustain in me a willing spirit.
O Lord, open my lips
And my mouth shall proclaim your praise. R.

SECOND READING          
“Be reconciled to God. Behold, now is the acceptable time. ”
A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians, (2 Corinthians 5:20, 6:2)

Brethren: We are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, “At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation.” Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

The word of the Lord.

Glory and praise to you, O Christ.
Today, harden not your hearts, but listen to the voice of the Lord.
Glory and praise to you, O Christ.

GOSPEL
“Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 6: 1-6, 16- 18)

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten Season. Lent is a season in the Church’s liturgical calendar when the members are expected to be sorry for their sins, do penance, sacrifice, give alms, and intensify and enrich their prayer life. It is called Ash Wednesday because of the ash each person is expected to be marked with on the forehead, to remind us of our sinfulness and mortality. Today’s Gospel is appropriate for Lenten observances. It touches on three important religious practices, namely: almsgiving, fasting and prayer. All these practices are very important for a deeper spiritual communion. However, Christians should not be showy in observing any of these. Any form of attention-seeking behavior contradicts true piety.

True piety is secretly practicing these acts, acknowledging God who sees in secret. Desist from unnecessary attention. Be humble.

Readings and Reflection for February 16, Tuesday of the Sixth Week

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Readings and Reflection for February 16, Tuesday of the Sixth Week

First Reading
“I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the ground. ”
A reading from the Book of Genesis (Genesis 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10)

The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.  So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the ground, man and beast and creeping things and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favour in the eyes of the Lord. Then the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation. Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and his mate; and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and his mate; and seven pairs of the birds of the air also, male and female, to keep their kind alive upon the face of all the earth. For in seven days I will send rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground.” And Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him. And after seven days the waters of the flood came upon the earth.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM  Ps 29:1a and 2.3ac-4.3b and 9c- 10 (R. 11b)
R/. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly powers,
ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name;
bow down before the Lord, majestic in holiness. R.

The voice of the Lord upon the waters,
the Lord on the immensity of waters;
the voice of the Lord full of power;
the voice of the Lord full of splendour. R.

R/. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

The God of glory thunders;
in his temple they all cry, “Glory!”
The Lord sat enthroned above the flood;
the Lord sits as king forever. R.

ALLELUIA John 14:23
Alleluia. If a man loves me, he will keep my word, says the Lord; and my father will love him, and we will come to him. Alleluia.

GOSPEL                                                                            
“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 8:14-21)

At that time: The disciples had forgotten to bring bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And Jesus cautioned them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “We have no bread.” And being aware of it, Jesus said to them, “Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection
Yeast is a powdery substance that is used as a rising-agent in the baking of bread. Just a little quantity can have a tremendous effect on the dough. Jesus warns against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod. That is, the narrow-mindedness of the Pharisees and the immoral pleasure seeking attitude of the Herodian’s. But the disciples were not listening to their master; they were preoccupied with their lack of bread. Jesus scolds them for their lack of perception and forgetfulness. We are sometimes like the disciples, we get distracted when conversion sermons are preached. We get so worried and preoccupied with material needs and forget that we have been there before; that the same Jesus, can do it again. Am I still without perception? Is my mind closed?

Readings and Reflection for February 15, Monday of the Sixth Week

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Readings and Reflection for February 15, Monday of the Sixth Week

FIRST READING
“Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and killed him. ”
A reading from the Book of Genesis (Genesis 4:1-15.25)

Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a tiller of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel brought some of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.” Cain said to Abel his brother, “Let us go out to the field.” And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?”  He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength; you shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, you have driven me this day away from the ground; and from your face I shall be hidden; and I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will slay me.” Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If any one slays Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who came upon him should kill him. And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another child instead of Abel, for Cain slew him.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM   Ps 50: 1 and 8.16bc-17.20-21 (R. cf. 14a)
R/. Give your praise as a sacrifice to God.

“The God of gods, the Lord,
has spoken and summoned the earth,
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices;
your offerings are always before me.” R.

“How can you recite my commandments,
and take my covenant on your lips,
you who despise correction,
and cast my words behind you?” R.

“You who sit and malign your own brother,
and slander your own mother’s son?
You do this, and should I keep silence?

Do you think that I am like you?
I accuse you, lay the charge before you.” R.

ALLELUIA John14:6
Alleluia. I am the way, and the truth, and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father but by me. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“Why does this generation seek a sign? ”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 8:11-13)

At that time: The Pharisees came and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven, to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.” And he left them, and getting into the boat again he departed to the other side.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection

The story of Cain and Abel shows us how original sin can spread like a virus.  But Jesus, the ‘New Adam’, is the leader of a new creation; those living by His truth and grace.  The blood of Abel still flows in places of conflict all over the world.  We continue to hear God ask; “Where is your brother?” where is that brother or sister on a sick bed; that brother or sister who is hungry; that brother or sister who has no house to live in; that brother or sister who lives away from the Church? Perhaps we can try in some small way to break the cycle of division, resentment and revenge.  Our embrace of Christ’s truth can bring peace to our soul and to our life.  We can be a sign of peace in a violent and troubled world.

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