Readings for Saturday after Ash Wednesday[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Isaiah 58:9b-14
The Prophet continues where he left off yesterday in exhorting the people to understand that God desires a spirit of compassion and generosity. He tells the people that if they follow this course they will be greatly rewarded and will receive rich blessings from God.
In the second paragraph Isaiah tells the people what it means to keep the Sabbath day holy. Again, following this command brings the faithful rich rewards from God.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.
Psalm 86 is a lament. The psalmist sings of a life afflicted and asks God to give his servant relief. The song indicates the faithfulness of the singer, even in times of distress.
Gospel Luke 5:27-32
We are given the call of St. Matthew in Luke’s Gospel today. It is much more focused on the reaction of the Pharisees than the same story in Matthew (Matthew 9:9). The message, however, is clear. Jesus came so that we (who are all sinners) might understand that God’s love is for them as well.
Reflection:
The call of St. Matthew should have a special significance for all of us as we embark upon our Lenten journey. We look for ways to express the gift God has given us in his Son and we are reminded that doing good deeds for the sake of our friends and to impress those who, like us, believe in the One Lord, Jesus Christ, is not what we are to be about.
Jesus came so that those who had lost their way could find it (and Him). Using an analogy, when we have already been to a place many times, do we need a map? Shouldn’t that map rather be given to someone who has not been to the place and needs to find it? The Lord is a map or as he was called in ancient groups a “compass”. He directs us to God and without him we cannot find our way.
When the Lord sat down to eat with the tax collectors he was doing more than just providing a wholesome presence to those who had adopted a lifestyle that was contrary to what God wanted. He gave us an example as well.
What good are we if we hide our spirituality under a basket? Today we pray for the courage to show our faith to all those with whom we have contact. On day four of Lent, our challenge to genuine discipleship grows.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture today is “The Tax Collectors” by Marinus Roejmerswaelen, 1550
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Isaiah 58:9b-14
The Prophet continues where he left off yesterday in exhorting the people to understand that God desires a spirit of compassion and generosity. He tells the people that if they follow this course they will be greatly rewarded and will receive rich blessings from God.
In the second paragraph Isaiah tells the people what it means to keep the Sabbath day holy. Again, following this command brings the faithful rich rewards from God.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.
Psalm 86 is a lament. The psalmist sings of a life afflicted and asks God to give his servant relief. The song indicates the faithfulness of the singer, even in times of distress.
Gospel Luke 5:27-32
We are given the call of St. Matthew in Luke’s Gospel today. It is much more focused on the reaction of the Pharisees than the same story in Matthew (Matthew 9:9). The message, however, is clear. Jesus came so that we (who are all sinners) might understand that God’s love is for them as well.
Reflection:
The call of St. Matthew should have a special significance for all of us as we embark upon our Lenten journey. We look for ways to express the gift God has given us in his Son and we are reminded that doing good deeds for the sake of our friends and to impress those who, like us, believe in the One Lord, Jesus Christ, is not what we are to be about.
Jesus came so that those who had lost their way could find it (and Him). Using an analogy, when we have already been to a place many times, do we need a map? Shouldn’t that map rather be given to someone who has not been to the place and needs to find it? The Lord is a map or as he was called in ancient groups a “compass”. He directs us to God and without him we cannot find our way.
When the Lord sat down to eat with the tax collectors he was doing more than just providing a wholesome presence to those who had adopted a lifestyle that was contrary to what God wanted. He gave us an example as well.
What good are we if we hide our spirituality under a basket? Today we pray for the courage to show our faith to all those with whom we have contact. On day four of Lent, our challenge to genuine discipleship grows.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture today is “The Tax Collectors” by Marinus Roejmerswaelen, 1550
No comments:
Post a Comment