Blog - Still Roman Catholic After All These Years

HOLY THURSDAY

When the hour came, he took his place at table with the apostles. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover^* with you before I suffer… Then he took a cup,^* gave thanks, and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; ….Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying,

“This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” And likewise, the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you. LUKE 22:14-20

INTRODUCTION

Two of our seven sacraments, Holy Eucharist and Holy Orders, were instituted on Holy Thursday. Jesus at the Passover meal took bread and wine and told his disciples to eat and drink, for this was his body and blood, given for the forgiveness of sins,

“Do this in remembrance of me” Luke 22:19

These words, “Do this in remembrance of me” are the foundation for our belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist today and establishes the ministerial priesthood (Holy Orders) whereby this command will be carried out through the successors of the apostles until the end of time.

TAKE AND EAT; THIS IS MY BODY

MATTHEW 26:26-30

In St. John’s Gospel we don’t find the institution of the Eucharist but we find Jesus, Servant of servants, washing the feet of His disciples and telling them to do likewise.

Jesus washing the feet of his disciples represents the service and charity of Christ, who came ‘not to be served, but to serve.’ Matthew 20:28

And at supper, Jesus—although knowing that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he had come from God, and was to return to God— Jesus rose from his place, and, taking off his upper garments, tied a towel round his waist. He then poured some water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel tied round him…..

Do you understand what I have been doing to you?” he asked. “You yourselves call me ‘the Teacher’ and ‘the Master’, and you are right, for I am both. If I, then—’the Master’ and ‘the Teacher’—have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet; For I have given you an example, so that you may do just as I have done to you.” .

“In truth I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor a messenger than the man who sends him. JOHN 13:1-1-26

A SERVANT IS NO GREATER THAN HIS MASTER

REFLECTION

Jesus Christ, is the fullest revelation of God that we can possess on earth. The Eucharist is the sacramental means to abide in Jesus. “”He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” John 6:54 Abide in me, and I in you” John 15:4.

When I receive the Eucharist in Holy Communion, Do I truly believe I am receiving Jesus body and blood or do I think I am just receiving a symbolic remembrance?

The washing of the feet of His disciples including Judas who betrays Him demonstrates God’s unconditional love for us.

God loves us with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:

What does God’s unconditional love of me say to me?

No one gets to heaven by their self. What am I doing to help others?

How do I love others? Do I have stipulations or conditions? Like what?

PALM SUNDAY

CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

JESUS TRIUMPHANT ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALEM

“….the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord— the King of Israel!” Jesus sat upon a young donkey; as it is written: “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” John 12:12-16

INTRODUCTION

Palm Sunday begins Holy Week… So many mysteries to ponder. From the triumphant entrance into Jerusalem to the Last Supper, the Eucharist, Good Friday, Christ Crucified, and then Easter Sunday, new beginnings… new life free from mortality of the body and soul.

“Exult greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! Behold: your king^* is coming to you, a just savior is he, Humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” Zachariah 9:9

REFLECTION

WHO IS THE KING OF GLORY?

Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty
Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory?
The Lord Almighty—he is the King of glory PSALM 24

Jesus makes His triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem. It is a remarkable event recorded by all four Gospels. Now is His hour. He is in full command of fulfilling His Father’s will. He allows people to praise Him even if that devotion may fade and evolve into condemnation.

Jesus is King of Glory. Mankind could not do it on their own. Abraham couldn’t do it. Moses couldn’t do it. David couldn’t do it. It took the Word Incarnate, son of God, son of Mary to open the gates of heaven to all of us so we too may walk the path of GLORY!

If Jesus is the king, then all his loyal subjects must recognize his kingship. The Jews recognized Jesus’ sovereignty by calling him the Son of David, and by spreading their cloaks before him. In this ancient custom; people threw down their garments to make a carpet for the royal procession.

We recognize his sovereignty by laying our hearts before him, throwing down our wills in absolute surrender, and asking Jesus to govern everything we think and say and do. Give praise to Him, our rightful King!

CONCLUSION

Palm Sunday is sometimes called Passion Sunday for good reason. While Jesus is King of Glory and our Savior and Redeemer we get a glimpse in the Mass readings of today… the Passion of Christ in the Gospel of Matthew.

FROM HOSANNA TO CRUCIFY HIM

They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him.

Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand.

And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

They spat upon him^* and took the reed and kept striking him on the head.

And when they had mocked him,

they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes,

and led him off to crucify him.

Matthew 27:28-31

A week from now Jesus will make another triumphant entrance and deliverance on Easter Sunday. Jesus will rise triumphant over sin and death. HOPE SPRINGS ETERNA!

How great a Savior we have!

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

SACRAMENT OF MERCY

LENTEN REFLECTIONS

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,

INTRODUCTION

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish

but might have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. JOHN 3:16-17

We begin our discussion of conversion, repentance, confession and absolution with a God who loves us, a God who seeks us, a God who wants us to be part of His family, the Most Holy Trinity.

We must never forget that God always wills our good that we may bear good fruit. Some pruning may be necessary.

Today, Sin is often downplayed as character flaws genetic makeup or personality disorders. Sin first of all is an offense against an omnipotent divine God who made us in His image and likeness to know, love and serve Him in this world and be happy with Him in the next..

Baptism forgives original sin inherited from our first parents Adam and Eve and any other personal sin prior to Baptism, but something more is needed after Baptism. Original Sin left us with a clouded mind, unfriendly natural environment, division between people, and a weak will when it comes to facing temptations of the flesh.

Whether we like it are not the Spiritual Warfare begun in Genesis continues. The same Satan and his minions go about the world looking for the ruin of souls. We need spiritual medicine for our eternal souls the same as we need physical medicine for our bodies here on earth.

On the first Easter Jesus gave us the Sacrament of /Reconciliation to absolve sins committed after Baptism.

RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT

WHOSE SINS YOU FORGIVE ARE FORGIVEN

“In the evening of the same day…Jesus came and stood among them…Peace be with you. He showed them his hands and side…Peace be with you. As the Father sent me…so I am sending you…After saying this, Jesus breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit for those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven. For those whose sins you retain, they are retained.'” John 20:19-35

Today God the Father awaits us like the prodigal son to return home, confess our sins, and be reconciled to God and his Church. The Church is the custodian today of conversion, forgiveness of sins, absolution and reconciliation.

JESUS SEEKS US OUT; WON’T YOU LET HIM IN!

“…When you give Me your sins, you give Me the joy of being your Savior. There is nothing I cannot forgive and heal…Come to Me with your misery and your sins, with your troubles and needs…I stand at the door of your heart and knock… won’t you let me in!

POSTSCRIPT

PREPARE FOR CONFESSION? WHAT DO I SAY AND DO?

We begin with prayer, placing ourselves in the presence of God, our loving Father. We review our lives since our last confession, our thoughts, words and actions that did not conform to God’s love, to his law or to the laws of the Church.

BRIEF EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

Do I attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation?

Do I take God’s name lightly or in anger or in blasphemy?

Am I envious, hot-tempered, impatient?

Do I forgive others? Do I judge others?

Do I entertain thoughts of revenge, hold grudges?

Do I tell lies? Steal property or reputations?

In my marital relationships do I respect my spouse by faithfulness in words and actions?

If I am single, am I living a chaste life?

Do I use artificial contraception to thwart God the giver of life?

Have I ever had an abortion or encouraged one

Do I provide good examples to my children?

Do I honor and respect my parents?

Do I care and give to the poor and needy

Do I respect the environment?

Do I overdo eating, drinking, smoking and amusements?

The Priest receives the penitent with a greeting, a sign of the cross and invitation to trust in God’s mercy

Confession of sins

Through the admission of our sins, we look squarely at our relationship with God and our neighbor and open ourselves to be reconciled with God and full communion with His Church. We accept our Penance as satisfaction for the offense to God and the harm to His Church.

Our act of contrition

Our act of contrition expresses our sorrow for offending God and our detestation of sin. We are sorry that we offended God and our neighbor and intend to amend our lives and avoid these sins in the future.

SAMPLE ACT OF CONTRITION

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee. I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven, and the pains of Hell; but most of all because I love Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life.

Amen

Prayer of absolution

The words of absolution by the priest, “I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit” and the reply by the penitent, “Amen” restores the penitent to God’s grace, reconciles him with God, with His Church, with himself, and with his brothers and sisters.

PARABLE THE PHARISEE AND PUBLICAN

SCRIPTURE

THE PHARISEE AND PUBLICAN

PRAY IN THE TEMPLE

LUKE 18:10-14

Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,

‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity–greedy, dishonest, adulterous–or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’

But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’

I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

REFLECTION:

The Pharisee boasted to God how good he was…

only God is good… Think about that for awhile…

the only thing I own are my sins God be merciful to me, a sinner

if I do good deeds it is because of God’s grace…

I have one Savior, Our Lord, Jesus Christ…by whose merits, my sins are forgiven..

PARABLE OF UNFORGIVING SERVANT

MATTHEW 18:23-35

Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.

That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount.

Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘

Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan.

When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’

Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back. But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt.

Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair.

His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’

Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”

REFLECTION:

there are no limits on God’s mercy and forgiveness

There are no limits on the times I should forgive another…

…we are told to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect…one way we achieve this is through forgiving others…

we live now in time of mercy…later there will be judgment… on judgment day the measure we measure will be measured out to us…

FEAST OF ANNUNCIATION MARCH 25

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you”

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you”

But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.

He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,^* and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. Luke 1:16-36

COMMENTARY

The plan for our salvation originates with God. “….the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David.”

The angel Gabriel addresses Mary, Hail, full of grace, identifying her and unveiling her hidden most being. Mary is not becoming full of grace; Mary is full of grace now! Mary was preserved from Original Sin from her conception through the anticipated merits of Jesus’ Passion and death.

Mary questioned the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” Mary would not have asked such a question unless she had made a vow of perpetual virginity which Joseph was willing to accept as conditions of their marriage.

Immediately, the angel calms the Virgin, solving her dilemma, by revealing to her the virginal conception will be accomplished in her by the work of the Holy Spirit, “The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee”

Mary’s virginal conception by the power of the Holy Spirit assures us that our Savior will have both a Divine Nature and a Human nature, Only God can make adequate atonement for our offenses against God. And only a Human nature may atone on behalf of humanity.

REFLECTIONS

The Angel Gabriel tries to calm Mary with the words Jesus used so often, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Do I live my life in fear or do I trust Jesus?

God has a mission for me like He did for Mary. I may not understand God’s plan but do I accept it? If not, why not? God loved me into existence for a reason Do I say to God be it done according to your will as Mary did?

As encouragement to Mary, the Angel Gabriel, gave Mary a sign of God’s omnipotence by announcing Mary’s elderly cousin, Elizabeth, afflicted with sterility all her life is now six months pregnant.

“And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Nothing is impossible for God! How does that affect my relationship with God. How do I interact with God and my neighbor?

MARIAN PRAYER

MEMORARE

REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary,

that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,

implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.

Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother;

to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.

O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions,

but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

LENTEN PRACTICE OF FASTING

LENTEN REFLECTIONS

JESUS PRAYS AND FASTS

40 DAYS IN THE WILDERNESS

INTRODUCTION

In our modern self-centered, self-indulgent, all-about-me world, the concept of fasting is very foreign and many Christians resist it. But according to Scripture and historic Christian writings (Tradition), fasting is supposed to be a ordinary part of our spiritual life here on earth….

We must deny ourselves if we are to choose God above all.

BACKGROUND

The Bible has a great deal to say about fasting and praying. Many of the Old Testament heroes and heroines of the faith, fasted and prayed. Prayer and fasting are combined in the Old Testament in times of mourning, repentance, and deep spiritual need.

DAVID FASTED AND PRAYED OVER HIS SICK CHILD

2 SAMUEL .

Early on in the New Testament of the Gospel of Luke we see the Presentation of Our Lord in the temple. In Luke’s account, Jesus was welcomed in the temple by two elderly people, Simeon and the widow Anna.

They embody Israel in their patient expectation; they acknowledge the infant Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, Throughout the New Testament fasting and prayer are often mentioned together as with the widow, Anna, who worshiped day and night fasting and praying.”

PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD IN THE TEMPLE

There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38

Fasting, joined together with fervent prayer from the heart, demonstrates just how serious our prayer is. When a Christian practices the sacrifice of self-denial, he is joining himself to the sacrifice of the Cross. The power for good is unleashed and miracles are allowed to happen.

REFLECTION

It was our appetite of the flesh that got us into mess we are in. “The woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and the tree was desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Genesis 3:6

God created us for a mission, Let’s not get in the way of that mission by putting our own desires and wants before God’s will.

Fasting, self-denial may include more than food and drink. There are many things we may deny ourselves from, for example, talking bad about someone, not watching your favorite TV shows, not gossiping on social media, etc.

Pray for the grace to fast. Pray that your fast will move mountains in your life and the lives of others. Pray in words of Scripture, pray from prayer books,…PRAY!PRAY!PRAY!

Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.

The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

MATTHEW 26:41

FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH MARCH 19

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

INTRODUCTION

This Feast day of St. Joseph can give us hope in this trying time of uncertainty, divisions in our own country and in our Church.

St. Joseph had to deal with a pregnant wife who was carrying someone else’s baby. When it was time for his wife to give birth he could not find an inn but was forced into a shelter for animals.

When Herod threatened their infant son. Joseph and the Holy Family had to flee in total uncertainty to a foreign land. Joseph had to trust in God that he and his family would be cared for. After Herod’s death Joseph safely returned Mary and Jesus to Nazareth. Matthew 2:13-16

JOSEPH, FOSTER FATHER OF JESUS

St. Joseph was a faithful practicing Jewish man from the line of David. He lived in the small village of Nazareth and served as the town carpenter. The Bible pays Joseph the highest compliment by calling him a “just man.”

By saying Joseph was “just,” the Bible means that he was one who was completely open to all that God wanted him to do. Joseph, betrothed to Mary, faced with Mary pregnant during engagement period and not by him had to hurt him severely.

Joseph didn’t want to take it out on Mary by subjecting her to charge of adultery. Joseph planned to do this “quietly” because he was “a righteous man, unwilling to expose her to shame” Matthew 1:19. (Mercy vs Judgment)

PATRON SAINT OF A HAPPY DEATH

We do not know when Joseph died but there is no mention of him during Jesus public ministry

Is it any wonder that the Church had declared Joseph the patron saint of a happy death? Joseph died in the arms of Jesus and Mary. Jesus and His mother Mary were not only supporters and consolers who supported Joseph’s frail body, but also provided powerful, soothing graces that refreshed the heart and soul of the dying Saint. St. Joseph can help us at our time of death by reminding us not to fear death but to rest in the arms and support of the Holy Family!

PRAYER TO ST JOSEPH

O glorious St. Joseph, Saint of the workbench, skilled and trusted craftsman…Cheerfully toiling side by side with Jesus, Teach us to value lives of hidden splendor.

We implore thy powerful intercession in obtaining for us from your Divine son all spiritual blessings, particularly the grace of a happy death.

O Guardian of the Word Incarnate, we have confidence that thy prayers on our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. In Jesus’ name we pray! Amen.

SAINT JOSEPH PRAY FOR US

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND COME FOLLOW ME

LENTEN REFLECTIONS

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.'” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Messiah of God.”

He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone. He said, “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…

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? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. LUKE 9:18-27

REFLECTION:

.Who do I say Jesus is?…This will make all the difference in my relationship and life choices….

Most do not and will not understand Jesus’ suffering. What is my understanding? …

whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it… the path to glory and to life is the way of the cross… How so?

following Jesus means dying…dying to myself…offering myself up for others… am I striving to be a disciple of Jesus…How so?

if I refuse to follow Jesus…then what… What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?…

SILENT PRAYER

SUMMARY

We have walked along the path with Jesus in towns such as Cana, Capernaum, Bethany, and Jerusalem, along the Sea of Tiberius, and Mount of Olives. He has preached in synagogues, on mountains, and in the plain He has fed the hungry, quenched the thirsty, healed the blind and those afflicted, forgiven sins and admonished sinners. He has touched and healed. Those who seek have found peace and wholeness.

He is meek and humble of heart. A bruised reed, he does not stir. Before his ignominious execution at the hands of this world, He is glorified on Mount Tabor. He shares this glimpse of glory of what is to come with a few of his disciples that they might believe the Son of God will vanquish sin and death and reside at the right hand of the Father for all eternity.

I WILL FOLLOW YOU!

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.

It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.

“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you.

Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. JOHN 15:13-20

ASH WEDNESDAY “REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE DUST, AND TO DUST YOU SHALL RETURN”

LENTEN REFLECTIONS

On Ash Wednesday, March 5, when ashes are placed on our forehead, we might hear either “Remember yo u are dust and to dust you shall return” or “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”

Like Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist, and His own Son, God calls us out into the desert of Lent to test us to see where our hearts are… (Deuteronomy 8:2) God speaks to us in the silence of our hearts. Our world is full of noise, distraction and spectacle. This Lent, find time each day for quiet….Give God a chance!

.In MATTHEW 5:48 Jesus teaches how to observe Lent by prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Fasting humbles us, reminds us who we are and our dependence on God. When we fast from our favorite foods and drinks, we create more space in our hearts for God….hear his voice, notice his goodness and beauty.

Prayer must always be a part of fasting. Pray for the grace to fast. Pray that your fast will be effective. Pray that your fast will move mountains in your life and the lives of others. Fast for yourself, for others, and the Poor Souls in Purgatory.

What will your Lenten resolutions be? There are things you might do (commission) acts of charity such as donations to food banks, clothing drives, visiting the sick, work on reconciling family disputes, praying for the Souls in Purgatory, adoration visits to Blessed Sacrament, attending a weekday Mass …

And then there are things you may refrain from doing (omission) such as: talking bad about someone, refrain from seeking attention or praise, don’t watch your favorite TV show or eat your favorite snack….

Join your sacrificial offering to Jesus in reparation for sin and the salvation of the world,

Lent is the perfect time to clean the slate, wash the soul through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This Sacrament was instituted by Jesus Christ, the Word Incarnate, on the evening of his resurrection.

Peace be with you…Jesus breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit for those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven. For those whose sins you retain, they are retained.'” (John 20:19-35)

The sacramental sign are the words of absolution, “I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Our sins are forgiven and sanctifying grace is conferred. We are made ready to go home to the Father

RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT

WHOSE SINS YOU FORGIVE ARE FORGIVEN

May the Holy Spirit lead us on a true journey of conversion, so that we can rediscover the gift of God’s word, be purified of the sin that blinds us, and serve Christ present in our brothers and sisters in need.

Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” 2 Corinthians 6:2

Lent is the favorable season for renewing our encounter with Christ, living in His word, in His sacraments and in our neighbor. May the Holy Spirit lead us on a true journey of conversion, so that we can rediscover the gift of God’s word, be purified of the sin that blinds us, and serve Christ present in our brothers and sisters in need. Then we will be able to experience and share in the full joy of Easter.

REPENT AND BE SAVED!

GOD OF JUSTICE AND MERCY

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING, CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

MOST HOLY TRINITY

FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT

INTRODUCTION

Many get stuck in their Bible reading because of the Old Testament. Some may find the God they read about in Old Testament is not the kind of God they are looking for.

Are there two Gods, one of the Old and one of the New Testament? No, there is one God, in three Divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. a God of Justice and Mercy

In the very beginning of Genesis when man disobeyed God by choosing his will over God’s will, man committed Original sin which we all inherit in our human nature.

GENESIS 3:8-16

“…Have you eaten from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat? The man replied, “The woman whom you put here with me—she gave me fruit from the tree, so I ate it. “The LORD God then asked the woman: What is this you have done? The woman answered, “The snake tricked me, so I ate it…. Then the LORD God said to the snake…I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; they will strike at your head, while you strike at their heel.^*

God of the Old Testament in His Justice separates man from His kingdom but in His Mercy, promises a Savior that will crush evil and reunite us into God’s Divine Life.

At our Baptism, Original Sin is removed and (if adult) any other personal sins. Infused with Divine life we become heirs of heaven, brothers and sisters of Christ.

COMMENTARY

The Old Testament is filled with blessings and curses. Man falls again and again, yet God in His Mercy remains faithful, calling man to repentance and reunion with Him.

THE GREAT FLOOD

When the LORD saw how great the wickedness of human beings was on earth, and how every desire that their heart conceived was always nothing but evil the LORD regretted making human beings on the earth, and his heart was grieved. So the LORD said: I will wipe out from the earth the human beings I have created, and not only the human beings, but also the animals and the crawling things and the birds of the air, for I regret that I made them. But Noah found favor with the LORD. Genesis 6:5-7

Even in the midst of such a terrifying judgment God’s rescue mission moves forward in the hands of his faithful shipmate, Noah. God demonstrates his justice toward humanity through punishment, and he demonstrates his saving love and mercy for humanity through Noah.

Death was a result of man separating himself from God (ORIGINAL SIN). We inherit death in our human nature from our first parents Adam and Eve. In the ancient world life expectancy was very low.

God, in his righteousness sometimes uses death as a punishment to restore the order of justice. When we reject the Author of Life, death results. “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.” Matthew 10:28

REFLECTION

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father…John 14:9

Jesus says to Phillip and to us Who sees me sees the Father!

We cry out for justice here and now on earth. But our expectations are seldom met in this life. Unlike earthly justice, God will bring all things together in his perfect justice in end times.

God provides time for the wicked to repent and obtain salvation. I give thanks every day for God’s unlimited patience and mercy. God is a Just God. The time God allows between now and the final judgment gives us an opportunity to become a recipient of his Mercy through rather than a target for his judgment

We can’t ignore the Old Testament for that is when the story of our salvation begins. It is where we first learn who God is and what man’s relationship to God should be. We see that God is not only transcendent, but a God who intervenes in our history.

We see Divine Providence, creating a nation, Israel, to be a call, a light to all nations to worship the one true God. How is Divine Providence working in my life?

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is Good,

His mercy endures forever.”

Psalm 107