In biblical times it was common to sprinkle ashes on the head as a sign of repentance and humility. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, which is the time we contemplate our relationship with God and identify the areas in our spiritual life that need work. The ashes are a physical reminder of our Lenten journey; by receiving the ashes on our heads and keeping them on through the day, we are recognizing that life passes away on earth. Therefore we strive during Lent to turn away from sin, refocus our lives on following God's commandments, and look towards the Kingdom of Heaven. † Quote of the Day Quote of the Day
"Heaven is filled with converted sinners of all kinds, and there is room for more." — St. Joseph Cafasso Today's Meditation "Often Jesus asks the sick to believe. He makes use of signs to heal: spittle and the laying on of hands, mud and washing. The sick try to touch him, 'for power came forth from him and healed them all'. And so in the sacraments Christ continues to 'touch' us in order to heal us. Moved by so much suffering Christ not only allows himself to be touched by the sick, but he makes their miseries his own: 'He took our infirmities and bore our diseases'. But he did not heal all the sick. His healings were signs of the coming of the Kingdom of God. They announced a more radical healing: the victory over sin and death through his Passover. On the cross Christ took upon himself the whole weight of evil and took away the 'sin of the world', of which illness is only a consequence. By his passion and death on the cross Christ has given a new meaning to suffering: it can henceforth configure us to him and unite us with his redemptive Passion." —Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1504-1505
An excerpt from Catechism of the Catholic Church Daily Verse "His divine power has bestowed on us everything that makes for life and devotion, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and power. Through these, he has bestowed on us the precious and very great promises, so that through them you may come to share in the divine nature, after escaping from the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire." — 2 Peter 1:3-4 | Saint John Joseph Of The Cross St. John-Joseph of the Cross (1654-1739) was born on the island of Ischia, near Naples. He joined the Franciscan Order of the Strict Observance (the reform of St. Peter of Alcantara) at age sixteen. His influence was great despite his young age, and after three years he was sent to help found a new order of friars in Piedmont, where he was ordained to the priesthood. He codified a set of guidelines for spiritual and daily life that were approved by the Holy See and became a lasting model for religious communities. In 1702 he was appointed Vicar Provincial of the Alcantarine Reform in Italy. During his time as Vicar he implemented a rule that no beggar would be turned away without assistance, and in times of extreme scarcity he would offer his own portion to the poor. He was known as a deeply holy man who served Christ and the monastic community through daily acts of mortification and humility. Despite his high ranking position, he continued to lead a life of service and took on menial tasks whenever possible, from working in the kitchen to chopping firewood. He was said to have performed numerous miracles as well as the gift of prophecy. St. John-Joseph of the Cross is the patron saint of Ischia and his feast day is March 5th. | ASH WEDNESDAY Reading 1 Joel 2:12-18 Even now, says the LORD,
return to me with your whole heart,
with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
Rend your hearts, not your garments,
and return to the LORD, your God.
For gracious and merciful is he,
slow to anger, rich in kindness,
and relenting in punishment.
Perhaps he will again relent
and leave behind him a blessing,
Offerings and libations
for the LORD, your God. Blow the trumpet in Zion!
proclaim a fast,
call an assembly;
Gather the people,
notify the congregation;
Assemble the elders,
gather the children
and the infants at the breast;
Let the bridegroom quit his room
and the bride her chamber.
Between the porch and the altar
let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep,
And say, "Spare, O LORD, your people,
and make not your heritage a reproach,
with the nations ruling over them!
Why should they say among the peoples,
'Where is their God?'" Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his land
and took pity on his people. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17 R. (see 3a) Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me. R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
For I acknowledge my offense,
and my sin is before me always:
"Against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight." R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me. R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. Reading 2 2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2 Brothers and sisters:
We are ambassadors for Christ,
as if God were appealing through us.
We implore you on behalf of Christ,
be reconciled to God.
For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin,
so that we might become the righteousness of God in him. Working together, then,
we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
For he says: In an acceptable time I heard you,
and on the day of salvation I helped you. Behold, now is a very acceptable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.
Verse Before the Gospel Psalm 95:8
If today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts. Gospel Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Jesus said to his disciples:
"Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms,
do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. "When you pray,
do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room,
close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. "When you fast,
do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."
| Praise to You Oh Lord Jesus Christ! | Daily Meditation: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you. (Matthew 6:18 "What are you giving up for Lent?" Isn't this the first question that typically comes to mind as we begin this holy season? Are we going to fast from a favorite food or from a meal once a week? Are we going to read a chapter from the Scriptures each day or try to make an extra donation to our favorite charity? There are countless choices and opportunities to take part in the traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. But this year, instead of just asking what we are going to do, let's ask ourselves why we are doing it. What is our purpose and goal? In today's Gospel reading, Jesus warns his listeners not to pray, fast, or perform righteous deeds in a showy way, just to impress other people (Matthew 6:1). Instead, he tells us to do them "in secret"—out of love for our heavenly Father (6:4, 6). And what is the fruit of such practices? We grow closer to the Lord; that's our "reward" (6:5). Thinking about the "why" along with the "what" also helps us take the focus off our own efforts or performance. If our willpower gives out and we eat that piece of chocolate that we vowed to give up, it's just another opportunity to turn to the Lord and offer up our weaknesses to him. It's just another opportunity to realize how much we need his grace and power in our lives. So yes, go ahead and make those Lenten resolutions, and try your best to keep them. But remember why you are doing these things. It's so that God can soften your heart and fill you with all the love, mercy, and grace he wants to give you. That's how he will "repay" you (Matthew 6:4, 6)! "Lord, help me to draw closer to you through my Lenten practices!" Joel 2:12-18
Psalm 51:3-6, 12-14, 17
2 Corinthians 5:20–6:12 | Reflections with Brother Adrian: |  Hear AI Read it for u | From today's Holy Gospel: "But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."......" - Word of the Lord! | From Roberto Juarez:
"Jesus invites us to authentic prayer, without seeking the admiration of others. It does not mean that we cannot pray in community, but that our relationship with God must be personal and deep. This Lent, we are called to strengthen our dialogue with the Lord, dedicating moments of silence and reflection.
Fasting is not a practice to demonstrate holiness, but a sign of conversion and self-control. It helps us remember that the most important thing is not the material, but our relationship with God. Jesus teaches us that fasting should be lived with joy and discretion, as an offering of love, not as an act of display.
• How do I live my faith? Do I seek the approval of others, or is my relationship with God sincere and selfless?
• Am I generous with those in need? Is my alms only economic, or do I also share my time, attention and affection with those who suffer?
• What is my prayer life like? Do I spend time alone with God, or do I only pray when others see me?
• What is the meaning of fasting for me? Do I practice it only as an external sacrifice, or do I accompany it with a true inner change?
Lord
in this season of Lent, teach me to live authentically.
May my alms be the fruit of a generous heart,
my prayer a sincere encounter with you,
and my fasting an expression of love and conversion.
Purify my inner self and help me to follow you with humility,
so that my faith may not be an appearance, but life given to You.
Amen....." end quote.
Our Lord said 3 things and this is what we base our Lenten journey on: †1.) "When you give alms,
do not blow a trumpet before you..."
Start giving in secret is important? My money? My charity? My extra stuff I got around that I don't need, or even my own shirt off my back? I asked a guy to join our Cursillo team, then he said he'd call me back once he prayed about it. He called less than 5 minutes later and said "The Lord said why are you even questioning this?" and this is the response our heart should receive now. If the moment arises, be ready to give. And if does not arise, then seek the moment to give, of your time, talent, and treasure. †2.) "When you pray,
do not be like the hypocrites....."
Some pray for show. Are you like that? Do you pray just to pray, from the teeth out, and no heart in the prayer? Do you go to church just to show up? What about your heart? Did you know that our Lord desires your love? This is the purpose of Lent, to show your heart to God and He will shower His heart from the cross for us all! Then pray this lent with your heart, sacrifice is nothing without heart, without sincerity and love of God. Why should we go 40 days and then hear Him say "Thanks for giving up what you did, but what I wanted was your heart!" Pray intimately with Him. The more, the better. Offer little moments throughout each day this lent of prayers of thanksgiving, and of petition for others. The more, the better! †3.) "When you fast,
do not look gloomy like the hypocrites..."
Have you seen a gloomy person that is fasting? I have! He looked sad, worried, stressed out really, you could tell his heart was in the wrong place. Who was he? I don't know him, but he shows up every time I look in the mirror! LOL, right? So how about I give up my frown for lent? How about I give up my stress for Lent? How about "I pray more and don't worry" like Padre Pio, Saint Padre Pio loved to say? How about I show the world a little more faith? How about showing the world that Christ our hope is alive? The Lord doesn't need fakers. The world doesn't need another faker. What the world wants to see is authentic hearts. What the Lord wants to see is our authentic heart. We will convert more souls by our authentic love, than anything else. And so, to sum it up today, let's get our ashes on! Let's empty ourselves of ourselves: Our poor self image. Our poverty in the spiritual life must be enriched, by prayer and giving. Fasting is giving. Every little act you do can be a little fast. I decided this morning to not have any special coffee, as I'm drinking it now for medicinal purposes, I decided to go straight, and yuck! I offered it up. This morning workers just came at me with negativity, everywhere I turned, frowning faces, negative outlooks, and I had to turn their frowns upside down. I want them to see the signs of hope in me, even though I walk through the valley of darkness myself. I look inside...where is hope? Where is Christ? If He is not there, then why not?
May this lent make all the invitation, all the right preparation for the coming of Christ our Lord...right into the center of our heart and our lives! |  audio | Random Bible Verse 1
Psalm 94:14–15 "For the LORD will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it." Word of the Lord. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
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