TUESDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT - 2022

LENT 2022

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Now, now – it is the Lord who speaks –
come back to me with all your heart,
for I am all tenderness and compassion. JL 2:12-13

DANIEL 3:25,34-43 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

When we put our trust in ourselves or in people we are certain to be cruelly crushed and disappointed but when we come to You with a contrite and humble heart and place all our hope and trust in You, You will be gracious and hear us. You will accept our prayers, our worship and our thanksgiving. You will deliver us from darkness and fear, from doubt and sadness, and lead us gently into the light of truth, wisdom, peace, and joy.

We are Your people, the sheep of Your flock and we desire to follow You closely. But You know our weaknesses, treat us gently Beloved, with tenderness, mercy, and compassion for You know how easily we get distracted and turn away from the path of life.

May the power of Your Name, that has delivered us O Lord, keep us safe from the snares of the enemy.

MATTHEW 18:21-35 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

You have been exceedingly merciful to us, Lord, and when we fail to show the same kindness, compassion, and mercy to those who have wronged us we are required to extend the same mercy to them. 

Too often we set different standards for ourselves and for others. We are more generous with our own faults and failings, we make excuses for ourselves but we are harshly critical and judgemental when it comes to others. 

We have been forgiven a multitude of sins each time we begged for forgiveness. The debt we owe You is so enormous we can never repay it and yet we keep account of the small ways in which others sin against us, we hold grudges, and we refuse to forgive.

You have no patience and will show no mercy to anyone who does not treat others in the way that You treat us.  You are a God who is slow to anger, quick to forgive and abounding in love and we are called to be perfect just as You Lord, and our heavenly Father is holy and perfect.

Grant us a generous outpouring of Your Holy Spirit for without Your help, Lord, we can do nothing.