TUESDAY OF THE SECOND OF LENT - 2022

LENT 2022

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Shake off all your sins – it is the Lord who speaks –
and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. EZ 18:31

ISAIAH :10,16-20 ©

My Soul's Beloved, 

Never has there been a greater need for people of goodwill to lay down their lives even to the shedding of their blood if necessary, to bring the world back to its senses. We are on the brink of annihilation and will be destroyed like Sodom and Gomorrah. 

Violence, evil, destruction, and death are all around us. The righteous are persecuted, scorned, mocked, reviled, and imprisoned.  The cries of the innocent plead for justice but the merciless stifle their cries until they can be heard no more. 

What terrible punishment must we first endure Beloved, before we cease to do evil and return to You with a contrite heart, a humble spirit, and a willingness to surrender our entire lives to You and be washed clean of our iniquity?

You are always willing to warmly embrace repentant sinners and welcome them home. Grant us all the grace to turn away from our wicked way and to resolve to do good rather than evil. May no one doubt Your willingness to forgive the most heinous sins and give us a new heart, a new spirit, a new life.

Thank You, for the awesome Sacrament of Reconciliation may we come to You in humility and confess our sins and be restored once again as members of the household of God.

MATTHEW 23:1-12 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Nothing is as unattractive as those in positions of leadership who are duplicitous. Nothing is as revolting to the sensibilities of the faithful as rabid wolves who disguise themselves in sheep's clothing to prey on the innocent and the unsuspecting in order to plunder, steal and destroy. 

Nothing can more easily destroy the faith of believers when the very shepherds they look to for guidance in matters of faith and morals are morally bankrupt. Many leave never to return.

Today, it will be most profitable to us all to sit up and take note of Your warning to those entrusted with leading, shepherding, and guiding as bishops, priests, religious, parents, teachers, and all who are responsible in leading and walking with the people of God on the Way to eternal life.

Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.

Without humility, it is impossible to please God. You teach us servant leadership and unless we model our lives on You we will miss the mark completely. ‘The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.’