TUESDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK OF LENT - 2025

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. EZK 18:31

ISAIAH 1:10,16-20

My Soul's Beloved,

There is a wonderful remedy for sins, though we may be degenerate sinners there is always a cure for the one who is humble and contrite of heart. You turn away no one who comes to You and pleads for mercy, who is willing to turn away from their sins and pleads with You to forgive and take them home to Yourself. Thank You for this healing remedy available in the Church You founded, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, of Healing, of Penance, that washes away all our iniquity no matter how numerous or grave.

Grace is available to the worst of sinners as the good thief, Dismas crucified on Your right, happily discovered just before he died. He recognized You as the Son of God, knew You were an innocent Victim, pleaded for mercy and forgiveness, and begged You to remember him when You entered Your Kingdom.  In the last moment of his life, he stole heaven. There is hope for us all, Beloved. You are ready, waiting, and willing to forgive us until we take our last breath. Grant all sinners this grace O Lord so we may all be saved and Your Sacrifice will not be in vain for one single, precious soul. Amen.

‘Come now, let us talk this over,
says the Lord.
Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.
‘If you are willing to obey,
you shall eat the good things of the earth.
But if you persist in rebellion,
the sword shall eat you instead.’

PSALM 49(50):8-9,16-17,21,23

I will show God’s salvation to the upright.

‘I find no fault with your sacrifices,
your offerings are always before me.
I do not ask more bullocks from your farms,
nor goats from among your herds.

‘But how can you recite my commandments

and take my covenant on your lips,
you who despise my law
and throw my words to the winds,

‘You do this, and should I keep silence?

Do you think that I am like you?
A sacrifice of thanksgiving honours me
and I will show God’s salvation to the upright.’

I will show God’s salvation to the upright.

MATTHEW 23:1-12

My Soul's Beloved,

Catholics are duty-bound to obey the Church You established for in her abides the fullness of Truth. We follow all her teachings and instructions to live our best life on earth while preparing us for eternity. As You have promised, she will never teach error, and the gates of hell will never prevail against her because You will be with her until the end of time.   

While all this is true, Beloved, there are some leaders in the Church just as there were in Your day, who like the scribes and the Pharisees hold positions of authority in the Church but are morally bankrupt. This warning addressed to the people and to the disciples who were listening to You holds true for us as well. As members of Your Body, the Church, we must listen to what those in authority say but we must not be guided by what they do if their actions are immoral.

Those whom the Church has anointed and consecrated as bishops and priests sometimes fail gravely. Their conduct is unbecoming of a servant of the Lord called to serve the people of God. They live ostentatiously, they look down on the poor, they pander to the powerful and accommodate them perhaps even when it is not lawful to do so. They demand to be respected while they disrespect the poor and the needy. 

The Gospel today is a timely reminder to us all that nothing is more pleasing to God than the virtue of humility. The little ones and the childlike are pleasing to You. Let us strive always to be little, humble, and docile.  

Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, ‘The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.’