Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS


Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the LORD, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.
EZ 18:31


ISAIAH 1:10, 16-20
PSALM 50:8-9, 16BC-17, 21 AND 23
MATTHEW 23:1-12

ISAIAH 1:10, 16-20

My Beloved, Soul of my soul,

Today, we are invited to listen to the Eternal Word of the Father and return to Him with humble and contrite hearts. We are to turn away from our sins, from the cravings of our flesh. If we spurn the invitation that the Father extends to us over and over again, if we deny You, if we continue to prefer to wallow in the mire of sin, and refuse the hand of mercy, forgiveness, and pardon that is extended to us, then we will perish in our sins and condemn our souls to eternal death.

But, if we heed the Father's invitation and wash ourselves clean in Your Blood, if we turn away from the false gods of the flesh, the world, and the devil before whom we have been worshipping and turn to the Living God, then we will be forgiven of all our transgressions no matter how grave and experience the Father's overwhelming love, goodness, mercy, tenderness, compassion, and forgiveness poured out upon all who are humble and contrite of heart. 

PSALM 50:8-9, 16BC-17, 21 AND 23

My Beloved, Soul of my soul,

Today, once again we are reminded, that God despises hypocrites. Those who say, Lord! Lord! but whose hearts are far away from Him. Their good deeds are done for all to see and they receive an earthly reward in the adulation and praise of the world. 

But those who humble themselves before You, strike their breasts for having offended a good and loving God, who are crushed with sorrow for their sins and confess that they have offended You who are all good and deserving of all our love and obedience, those who praise You because You are worthy of all praise, those who offer the sacrifice of their lives in union with the one, holy, and perfect Sacrifice of Calvary, to such as these will be given a share in Your glory in the world to come.

MATTHEW 23:1-12

My Beloved, Soul of my soul,

Through the pages of Sacred Scripture, we see over and over again the almighty, the all-powerful and eternal God stooping tenderly, graciously, lovingly, and mercifully over His children. God is just and no one can take the love of the Father for granted yet, He yearns over us as surely as a mother yearns for her lost child. But if there is one thing that is anathema to God it is hypocrisy. He shuns those who desire to fool the world and even worse attempt to fool God by their false piety. 

Speaking to us today, You say, that we have only one Father in heaven and only one Master, the Christ who is the anointed of God. We are called to serve not to be served. We are called to love not to seek to be loved. We are called to be humble always and to take up our cross each day and follow You. For only those who humble themselves will be raised up with You on the last day.