#LentenReflection

[in-his-sacred-heart]

Friday after Ash Wednesday

Lectionary: 221

Reading 1

Isaiah 58:1-9a

Thus says the Lord GOD: Cry out full-throated and unsparingly, lift up your voice like a trumpet blast; Tell my people their wickedness, and the house of Jacob their sins. They seek me day after day, and desire to know my ways, Like a nation that has done what is just and not abandoned the law of their God; They ask me to declare what is due them, pleased to gain access to God. "Why do we fast, and you do not see it? afflict ourselves, and you take no note of it?" Lo, on your fast day you carry out your own pursuits, and drive all your laborers. Yes, your fast ends in quarreling and fighting, striking with wicked claw. Would that today you might fast so as to make your voice heard on high! Is this the manner of fasting I wish, of keeping a day of penance: That a man bow his head like a reed and lie in sackcloth and ashes? Do you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own. Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; Your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19

R. (19b) A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. 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. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. 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. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it. My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

Verse Before the Gospel

Amos 5:14

Seek good and not evil so that you may live, and the Lord will be with you.

Gospel

Matthew 9:14-15

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?" Jesus answered them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast."

Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saints Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs

[bibilium]

Discover the spiritual journey from Palms to Passion with our inspiring Holy Week sermon. Let us guide you through this sacred time of reflection and renewal.

[tamilamericatv]

Trending Tamil Lenten Reflections from America. Watch & Share LIVE

https://youtu.be/NMlDIGgKRHQ?si=LZocB70ZEJAJKNd8

Shocking Wrongful Judgments | Unveiling Injustice | Lenten Reflections Fr Xavier Arockiasamy

Join us for an immersive spiritual journey this 3rd Sunday of Lent with FeTCANA’s 4th Annual Lenten Reflections by Rev Fr Xavier Arockiasamy Santiago.

#LentenReflections #FeTCANA #TamilCatholic #SpiritualJourney #FaithRenewal #Lent2024 #lent #lentenseason #lentenreflections #TamilLentenReflections #lent

#easter #lentenmessage #lentenmeditation #fetcana #fetcanahistory #fetcanawishes #tamilcatholics #pope #popefrancis

Share in your groups.

[pastel-academic]

To my Catholics out there, idk who needs to hear this but just because you failed your Lenten resolution doesn’t mean the entirety of lent was failure and you won’t still succeed. The same applies for New Years resolutions, or really any other goal setting in life ❤️ 🙏 just keep praying and staying strong ❤️

[anastpaul]

Day Five of our Lenten Journey - 21 February - The First Sunday of Lent - '.Christ remains forever, standing firmly with us to the end.'

Day Five of our Lenten Journey – 21 February – The First Sunday of Lent – ‘.Christ remains forever, standing firmly with us to the end.’

Day Five of our Lenten Journey – 21 February – The First Sunday of Lent, Readings: Genesis 9:8-15, Psalms 25:4-5, 6-7,8-9, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:12-15 Imitating Christ with Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471) In Your Light Lord, we see light “The kingdom of God is within you,” says the Lord (Luke 17:21). Turn, then, to God with all your heart. Forsake this wretched world and your soul shall…

[dadanoelb]

This Lenten season, it is nice to introspect and do Inner Work.

[catholicextension]

What does it mean to be loved? Theologian Jack Shea offers Biblical insights for your reflection this Lenten season: catholicextension.org/lentenreflections

[therevlisad]

Lenten Prayers:⁠ 2/24, Isaiah 42- Place your Spirit upon me. Take me by the hand so I may serve- bringing forth your justice with tenderness, bringing forth your light with persevering presence, bringing forth your freedom for all. ⁠ ⁠ 2/25, Isaiah 43- You are the Lord our God, the Holy One, Savior, Redeemer, Creator, King. Gather your beloved children. Draw them from far away- every place, every one, every barrier broken. ⁠ ⁠ I'm finding great grace in these short prayers. What's your prayer today?⁠ ⁠ ⁠Message me if you'd like a copy of our Lenten reading plan through the last third or so of Isaiah. It's a great time to start since it just started. ⁠ ⁠ Blessed Lent, dear ones. ⁠ ⁠ #lent #lent2021 #lenten #lentenseason #lentenreflection #lentenreflections #lentendevotional #lentenjourney #selfcare #christiancreative #rhythm #sacredrhythms #focus #intentionalliving #mindfulnesspractice ⁠#braveliving #wholeheartedliving #spiritualpractice #spiritualdiscipline #meansofgrace #stoplooklisten #fullypresent #listeningtogod #godisnear #christianspirituality #sanctification #spiritualmaturity #journeyoffaith ⁠ (at Sarasota, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLuCMMllMAE/?igshid=1hmvm8uj5mpjz

[ccharitiesli]

Picture Perfect

4/2020

by Laura A. Cassell, CEO

My recently retired brother, Eddie, took on the considerable task of digging out the old Lionel train sets that my father got for us as little children.  Every Christmas, Dad would erect a table in the tiny free space available in our cramped living room and he’d create a winter wonderland of scenes through which our respective trains passed.  Back then, it was a big deal to purchase each car and the tracks, engines and accessories that went along with them. Dad began the initial negotiations with Mom shortly after Eddie was born, somehow managing to invest in that first small train set.  When my other brother came along, the train system expanded. When I joined the family, my brothers upgraded to the new train lines and I took over command of that first locomotive. It was truly a family affair, with Dad as head of the railroad system and each of us as engineers of our respective trains.

Every year the scenes and layout varied, but there was always a glorious ice skating rink fashioned with tinfoil that was graced with elegantly clad skaters. There were the snow-covered mountains upon which the skiers sped downhill and the cowboys on horses and Indians with canoes who frolicked just beyond the bustling rail stations.  It was quite a project to set up the villages complete with characters, sleds and cars, to say nothing of laying the tracks, setting up the transformers, and electrifying the system to get all three train lines moving simultaneously. When it was finally done, Dad would lower the lights and we’d start our engines. What excitement there was!  Dad would coach me on the controls and then I’d take over, slowly accelerating the speed until he cautioned us all to slow down.

When my brother pulled out the boxes, these memories flooded over us.  Good grief, I remember that exploding box car and this missile launcher! And how about the adorable caboose and playful bumper car!  Each box ignited another avalanche of memories and stories about this treasured, family tradition.  As Eddie caressed each section of track and cable, he remembered the loving way Dad had touched those very same old, dusty pieces, and it was so deeply moving to feel such a tangible connection with our father who has been gone from this world for nearly 20 years.  What a gift!  We don’t have a lot of photographs of those trains, but the vivid memories are far better than any image we could have taken with the old Polaroid camera.

Today, everyone is so busy taking selfies and other shots with their smartphones that we have more pictures than we have time to scroll through them.  But selfies aren’t memories – they simply capture a moment that is often mere vanity.  If it’s not to your satisfaction, you delete it and keep snapping until you capture the image that you want to push out to friends and followers. Does it really matter whether others like my shoes? Or what I’m eating for lunch?

As we enter the season of Lent I think back on the dated black and white photos of years past, with the dreaded red eye effect, someone else with eyes closed and the uncooperative toddler screaming and crying.  It may not have been the perfect picture, but today it is a picture perfect memory – one that you feel deep inside with just a glance. That old camera lens views us the same way God does. He sees us as we are and loves us completely with all the imperfections we try so hard to delete from view.  

[f8licityfix]

#lentenreflection How has God’s intimate friendship blessed you? #trustGod • . . . . . . . #f8licityprays ☀️ #quote #inspiration #bibleverse #goodmorning #amazing #healing #happy #fun #wellness #wellnessjourney #lifestyle #dedication #healthy #faith #selfcare #cancerwarrior #inloveandwell Year2

[in-his-sacred-heart]

"Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother…" (John 19:25).

In the darkest moment, as her Son suffered beyond measure, Mary stood. She did not collapse in grief or retreat in despair. She remained, unwavering, in perfect love and faith.

Her strength was not merely human—it was the strength of an Immaculate Heart, filled with unshaken hope. Even in agony, she stood firm, trusting in God’s plan.

May we learn from her, drawing strength from her love when we face our own crosses. Mother Mary, help us stand.

Mother Mary, pray for us. Jesus, I trust in You.

https://mycatholic.life/.../day-two-the-strength-of-the.../

[bibilium]

Let us now discover the rich heritage of Lent practices, from ancient rituals to modern adaptations. You can navigate the labyrinth of Lent with ease with our comprehensive guide.

[tamilamericatv]

https://youtu.be/svLiNT98BzQ தவக்கால சிந்தனைத் துளிகள். பாடுகளின் பாதையில். வட அமெரிக்க கத்தோலிக்க தமிழ் சங்கங்களின் கூட்டமைப்பு வழங்கும் தவக்கால சிந்தனைகள் தினம் தோறும் தமிழ் அமெரிக்கா தொலைக் காட்சியில். Click to watch Lenten Reflections from Federation of Tamil Catholics of North America https://youtu.be/svLiNT98BzQ #lent #lenten #lentenseason #lentenreflection #lentenreflections2021 #tamillent #tamillentsong #TamilAmericaTV #tamilamericanetwork #tamilamerica www.TamilAmericaTV.com (at Tamil America TV தமிழ் அமெரிக்கா டிவி) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLcOQQDnp_t/?igshid=166uldstlj3k5

[milatherese]

Love and Judas

I “attended” Mass earlier today and the Gospel really struck me.

I used to joke with my brother about someone I didn’t particularly enjoy hanging out with by saying “I love that person as much as Jesus loved Judas.” But I always meant it in the sense that I disliked the person. Reflecting on today’s Gospel reading changed that. (Actually, reflecting on it in Spanish [s/o to livestreamed Spanish Masses] really helped. The English language is so dry.)

I used to think that Jesus loved Judas less than the other apostles not only because He knew Judas would betray Him, but also because Jesus had said of him “…woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born” (not in today’s Gospel, but in another reading, Matthew 26:24). I knew Jesus preached to love everyone, including enemies, but I always excluded the Last Supper from that.

Any practicing Christian knows the story of the Last Supper – Jesus washed the feet of the Twelve and shared His last meal with them before his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane prior to His betrayal and passion.

What the average Christian (like myself – I feel as though I was born today) fails to realize is that the sacrifice Jesus underwent for our salvation goes beyond the physical pain He endured on His passion. Yes, a crown of thorns was forced upon His head. Yes, He was scourged and beaten. Yes, He fell under the weight of the cross. Yes, nails pierced His hands and feet.

But, also remember the emotional burden Jesus underwent. He was stripped of His clothes, He was laughed at and spat upon on the way to Golgotha, He was mocked as He hung on the Cross, and only a few of His friends were with Him at the foot of the Cross.

Okay, that’s easy to see. We all know that.

But what about the emotional burden of His relationships with others? What about Judas? I don’t mean to give Judas a spotlight but I think reflecting on his relationship with Jesus can teach us all a little something.

Jesus spent time with Judas, teaching him everything He taught the other eleven. – “Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.” (Mark 4:34)  – “Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.” (Luke 10:23) – “Then after this he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”(John 11:7) – “When Jesus finished giving these commands to his twelve disciples, he went away from that place to teach and to preach in their towns.” (Matthew 11:1)

They laughed together. – No verse for reference but I’m sure somewhere in between the written ministry of Jesus they all shared a couple laughs (I think God has a good sense of humour). If Jesus journeyed with them, I’m positive they laughed at some point.

Jesus broke bread with him (read: Jesus fed Judas, His betrayer). – “Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.’ So he dipped the morsel and [took it and] handed it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot.” (John 13:26)

Jesus gave Judas permission to betray Him (side note, God doesn’t will evil but can will to permit evil). He even called him “friend” – “After he took the morsel, Satan entered him. So Jesus said to him, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly.’” (John 13:27) – “Jesus answered him, ‘Friend, do what you have come for.' Then stepping forward they laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.” (Matthew 26:50)

What’s crazy to me is that Jesus did all that knowing that Judas would betray Him (John 13:26). Jesus knew from the very beginning that Judas would betray Him (Jesus is one of the three persons in Triune God, God is all-knowing, etc.). Did Jesus kick Him out of the Twelve? No, Jesus treated him like He treated the others. Jesus treated Judas with love, mercy, and compassion.

In constantly loving Judas despite his shortcomings and giving into temptation, Jesus still offered him love by giving him food and calling him “friend.” Jesus never withdrew His love for Judas. (In the same way, Jesus still loves us despite our shortcomings and sinfulness – each time we betray Him. But that’s for another blog post.)

So, all this newfound revelation got me thinking… How do I treat people I don’t particularly enjoy hanging out with? If my intuition tells me my “friend” is actually talking behind my back, do I still treat that “friend” with love, mercy, and compassion?

[anastpaul]

Day Two of our Lenten Journey - 18 February - In the cross alone, is the hope of life

Day Two of our Lenten Journey – 18 February – In the cross alone, is the hope of life

Day Two of our Lenten Journey – 18 February – Thursday after Ash Wednesday, Readings: Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalms 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6, Luke 9:22-25 Imitating Christ with Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471) In Your Light Lord, we see light “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me” – Luke 9:23 To many the word seems harsh; “Deny yourself, take up your…

[creyra]

Lenten🌿Reflection🙏🏻: 💙 Power, money & titles are “fruits of life”, BUT God, family & friends are the “roots of life”. We can manage w/o the fruits, but we can never stand w/o the roots. • • • • • • • • • • • • • #lent #lentenseason #lent2019 #holyweek2019 #lentenreflection #sky #skystories #bluesky #ofcloudsandskies #seaofclouds #creyrasnaps #nature #naturephotography #naturelover #naturalbeauty #nature_good #naturephotoshoot #natureperfection #blues #blueshues #instamoment #iphonographer #iphonography #igers #instagram https://www.instagram.com/creyra/p/BwbGxTYnZdl/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=p6fv1rpgi6yn