Tuesday, Second Week of Lent

Daily Readings for Lent
Today's readings: March 2, 2010
First Reading: Is 1:10, 16-20;
Responsorial Psalm: 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23 ;
Gospel: Mt 23:1-12 ;

And here's an audio file and a video of a priest offering reflections.

 First Reading:  Is 1:10, 16-20
Wash yourselves clean!
Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes;
cease doing evil; learn to do good.
Make justice your aim: redress the wronged,
hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.
Come now, let us set things right,
says the LORD:
Though your sins be like scarlet,
they may become white as snow;
Though they be crimson red,
they may become white as wool.
If you are willing, and obey,
you shall eat the good things of the land;
But if you refuse and resist,
the sword shall consume you:
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken!

Responsorial Psalm  50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23
R.      To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.
I take from your house no bullock,
no goats out of your fold.”
R.        To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?”
R.        To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”
R.        To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

Gospel   Mt 23:1-12
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
“The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people’s shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’
As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called ‘Master’;
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

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Commentary: Yesterday I had the opportunity to accompany a priest
to a local hospital where he was asked to perform the rite of Annointing of the Sick, which back in the day, was called Extreme Unction. It is such a lovely rite and is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. The rite begins with the priest absolving the sick person of all their sins - all of them committed in the course of their lifetime. And a sweet reminder, of how deeply they are loved by Jesus. Soon the time will come, when Jesus will come for them and for the sick person to make the final surrender into God's loving hands. No matter how tough or faithful one might be, I sincerely doubt anyone is ever really ready for this moment, except for maybe the saints. It is not an easy trial - the final suffering and death. That said, I am convinced it is much easier if we spend time in prayer and seek to grow close to God all the days of our life. When we do that - we are less afraid, and better still - we might even be anticipating this cross-over to the heavenly kingdom. And also - find ourselves with a much lighter load to carry while we live. We can actually live the full life God is offering to all of us, and allow Him to make our joy complete. If you are honest with yourself - you know, we are the ones holding back.

So take advantage of the Lenten Season - and make amends. Humble yourself and grow closer in  God's loving relationship. He will help you get there - just ask.