Saturday after Ash Wednesday
Today's readings: February 20, 2010
First Reading: Is 58:9b-14;
Responsorial Psalm: 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 ;
Gospel: Lk 5:27-32;
And here's an audio file; and a video of a priest offering reflections.
First Reading: Is 58:9b-14
Thus says the LORD:
If you remove from your midst oppression,
false accusation and malicious speech;
If you bestow your bread on the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted;
Then light shall rise for you in the darkness,
and the gloom shall become for you like midday;
Then the LORD will guide you always
and give you plenty even on the parched land.
He will renew your strength,
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring whose water never fails.
The ancient ruins shall be rebuilt for your sake,
and the foundations from ages past you shall raise up;
“Repairer of the breach,” they shall call you,
“Restorer of ruined homesteads.” If you hold back your foot on the sabbath
from following your own pursuits on my holy day;
If you call the sabbath a delight,
and the LORD’s holy day honorable;
If you honor it by not following your ways,
seeking your own interests, or speaking with malice.
Then you shall delight in the LORD,
and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth;
I will nourish you with the heritage of Jacob, your father,
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Responsorial Psalm: 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R. (11ab) Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.
Incline your ear, O LORD; answer me,
for I am afflicted and poor.
Keep my life, for I am devoted to you;
save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God.
R. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.
Have mercy on me, O Lord,
for to you I call all the day.
Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
R. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in kindness to all who call upon you.
Hearken, O LORD, to my prayer
and attend to the sound of my pleading.
R. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.
Gospel: Lk 5:27-32
Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, “Follow me.”
And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him.
Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house,
and a large crowd of tax collectors
and others were at table with them.
The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying,
“Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do.
I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Commentary:
It is interesting how people respond to the Bible, especially the
Gospel - where men recount what Jesus said. So often, folks take the
word as very heavy and making one feel guilty. Yet, in the psalm reading
today we hear the the Lord is good and forgiving. And in the Gospel
we are given a wonderful - last line. I have not come to call the
righteous to repentance but sinners. From my own little world, that
means - that Jesus came to save people like me, a sinner - and that
He is kind and merciful. And those words for me, are comforting. And
tender and sweet. What a wonderful world this would be if we all were
this way. Kind and merciful - helping those who are in need of your love.
Showing posts with label love forgiveness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label love forgiveness. Show all posts
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Tuesday - Fourth Week of Lent
Today's readings: March 24, 2009
Reading One: Ez 47:1-9, 12;
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9 ;
Gospel: Jn 5:1-16;
go to this page (for all three sections listed above on one page) And here's an audio file; & reflections (video)
John's writing about Jesus in his Gospel is much different than the other three (Matthew, Mark & Luke, duh). John was different - he was the disciple Jesus loved, the only one we believe was not martyred for his faith, the only one at the foot of the cross, and Jesus tells John that Mary is his mother (and vica versa) while he is on the cross. For John, Jesus' divine origins are never in doubt. He tries to spell it out all mathematically, logically - like breadcrumbs, just follow the trail and stop being so hard in the head and heart. Over the past few days, we are given 3 signs that show that Jesus is all that He says He is. The first sign, was at the wedding at Cana, when Jesus turned the water into wine upon's Mary's request, and also her display of total faith (Do as He says), see John Chapter 2). The second sign was yesterday's reading, about the Royal Official and his sick son in Chapter Four. And today is the third sign, Jesus healing the blind paralytic in Chapter Five. I mean, the signs are not everyday happenings. And what is so amazing, is that big wigs in power don't deny these things happened. Their problem is that Jesus did this on the Sabbath (I am laughing as I think of Walter on The Big Lebowski, and his bowling tournament conflicts, but I digress). Anyway, it is a good practice to understand how John's Gospel is different, and why and to contemplate that as you read his words about Jesus.
Today we stopped at verse 16 in chapter five, but the next 28 verses are important, as Jesus explains how God the Father testifies to the divinity of Jesus, and that He is God's son. Same thing with John, there's never any question about this, Jesus being the Christ - John is just trying to get the exact words of what he heard Jesus says about it.
Also of note about today's Gospel, it continues the whole theme of joy that began on Sunday with laetare sunday. Laetare comes from the words often used to commence a mass - Laetare, Jerusalem - which roughly translates Rejoice, O Jerusalem. It also marks the halfway point in Lent. And indeed, there is so much to be joyful about if you have faith in God. With faith, you have extra resolve and hope, even in hopeless situations - because with God anything is possible, and if you place your trust in God, you are covered. He sets you free, He gives you strength and courage, and as you grow closer in love with Him, He loves you even more, or perhaps - He still loves you the same, you just are more aware of it. Either way, it is a wonderful feeling. So be joyful. And I hope you enjoy John's Gospel - his faith is contagious.
Reading One: Ez 47:1-9, 12;
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9 ;
Gospel: Jn 5:1-16;
go to this page (for all three sections listed above on one page) And here's an audio file; & reflections (video)
John's writing about Jesus in his Gospel is much different than the other three (Matthew, Mark & Luke, duh). John was different - he was the disciple Jesus loved, the only one we believe was not martyred for his faith, the only one at the foot of the cross, and Jesus tells John that Mary is his mother (and vica versa) while he is on the cross. For John, Jesus' divine origins are never in doubt. He tries to spell it out all mathematically, logically - like breadcrumbs, just follow the trail and stop being so hard in the head and heart. Over the past few days, we are given 3 signs that show that Jesus is all that He says He is. The first sign, was at the wedding at Cana, when Jesus turned the water into wine upon's Mary's request, and also her display of total faith (Do as He says), see John Chapter 2). The second sign was yesterday's reading, about the Royal Official and his sick son in Chapter Four. And today is the third sign, Jesus healing the blind paralytic in Chapter Five. I mean, the signs are not everyday happenings. And what is so amazing, is that big wigs in power don't deny these things happened. Their problem is that Jesus did this on the Sabbath (I am laughing as I think of Walter on The Big Lebowski, and his bowling tournament conflicts, but I digress). Anyway, it is a good practice to understand how John's Gospel is different, and why and to contemplate that as you read his words about Jesus.
Today we stopped at verse 16 in chapter five, but the next 28 verses are important, as Jesus explains how God the Father testifies to the divinity of Jesus, and that He is God's son. Same thing with John, there's never any question about this, Jesus being the Christ - John is just trying to get the exact words of what he heard Jesus says about it.
Also of note about today's Gospel, it continues the whole theme of joy that began on Sunday with laetare sunday. Laetare comes from the words often used to commence a mass - Laetare, Jerusalem - which roughly translates Rejoice, O Jerusalem. It also marks the halfway point in Lent. And indeed, there is so much to be joyful about if you have faith in God. With faith, you have extra resolve and hope, even in hopeless situations - because with God anything is possible, and if you place your trust in God, you are covered. He sets you free, He gives you strength and courage, and as you grow closer in love with Him, He loves you even more, or perhaps - He still loves you the same, you just are more aware of it. Either way, it is a wonderful feeling. So be joyful. And I hope you enjoy John's Gospel - his faith is contagious.
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