Second Wednesday of Lent

Heed me, O LORD, and listen to what my adversaries say. Must good be repaid with evil that they should dig a pit to take my life? Remember that I stood before you to speak in their behalf, to turn away your wrath from them.

Not all of our good deeds will be repaid with good. Sometimes those we help will be indifferent to what we have done for them or take it for granted. Other times, the people we help will complain about what we’ve done or how we’ve helped them. Still others will repay our kindnesses with evil and persecution. However, we shouldn’t let the apathetic or negative responses keep us from doing what is right. It is easy to treat others well when they do the same to us... much harder when they dismiss or despise our help. But just as Jesus loved and forgave even those who persecuted and mocked him on the cross, so too are we called to love and forgive those who repay our good deeds with evil.

Are we able to put aside the responses others have to our good works and simply do what is good because it is right and just? Are we willing to turn the other cheek to and do good for those who are our adversaries? Do we pray for those who repay us with evil?

O Lord, turn away your wrath from those who transgress against us.

Amen.

Second Tuesday of Lent

Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow. Come now, let us set things right, says the LORD: Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool. If you are willing, and obey, you shall eat the good things of the land; But if you refuse and resist, the sword shall consume you: for the mouth of the LORD has spoken!

We all need to learn to wash clean our hearts, to put away our misdeeds, and learn to do good. We can’t do that if we are unrepentant or allow ourselves to be distracted by the world around us and all the pleasures it offers us. If we want to set things right with the Lord, then we have to know, love, and serve God and His children with all that we are. We have to put justice, penance, and charity ahead of our own desires and passions. We have to seek out God’s forgiveness with contrite hearts and strive to obey Him in all things. Only then can our sins be washed away and our souls be prepared for the heavenly feast.

How can we lead spiritually clean lives? What misdeeds and sins do we need to put away? How can we put right our wrongs?

O Lord, wash us clean.

Amen.

Second Monday of Lent

Lord, great and awesome God, you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you and observe your commandments! We have sinned, been wicked and done evil; we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws.

All of us rebel against and depart from God’s commandments from time to time. We allow temptations to lead us astray and into sins both venial and grave. We make excuses for our actions and try to convince ourselves we are not to blame. However, no one forces us to sin. It is our choice and when we make the wrong choice we must make amends with God and those whom we’ve sinned against. We do this through seeking out the sacrament of Reconciliation, making a good confession, and doing penance. If we do all these things, then God in His Divine Mercy will forgive us and we shall have another chance to live holy lives conformed to the commandments and laws of our Heavenly Father.

What sins do we have the most trouble resisting? Do we ask God for His help against these weaknesses? How can we reflect God’s Mercy in our own lives when others sin against us?

O Lord, be merciful to us who have sinned against you and seek your forgiveness.

Amen.

Second Sunday of Lent

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It is God who acquits us, who will condemn? Christ Jesus it is who died-or, rather, was raised-who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.

With God as our guardian, we have nothing to fear. No person, no trial, no obstacle can overcome us with God at our side. God will do everything in His power to save us from the fires of Hell and lead us to eternal life with Him. If we know, love, and serve God and His children with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths, then He shall remain with us throughout our lives. And when we do fall into temptation and sin, if we return to Him with contrite hearts and willing to do penance, then He shall acquit us and free us from our sins. Moreover, Jesus’ compassionate voice will speak on our behalf before the throne of God if we follow his teachings.

Do we realize God is always with us? How can we bring Him to the forefront of our minds at all times, especially when faced with temptations and trials? In what ways can we imitate God’s protection and compassion when dealing with others?

O Lord, with you at our side, we have nothing to fear.

Amen.

First Saturday of Lent

Today you are making this agreement with the LORD: he is to be your God and you are to walk in his ways and observe his statutes, commandments and decrees, and to hearken to his voice. And today the LORD is making this agreement with you: you are to be a people peculiarly his own, as he promised you; and provided you keep all his commandments, he will then raise you high in praise and renown and glory above all other nations he has made, and you will be a people sacred to the LORD, your God, as he promised.

Every Christian has entered into an agreement with God through our baptism. We have promised to worship Him and Him alone, to walk in His ways, obey his commandments, and listen to His inspirations. In return, God promises to hold a special place for us as His people. He will guide us through life, raise us from the dead, and grant us eternal life with Him in Heaven. All we have to do is live out our baptismal promises, doing His Will in all things by our own choice.

Are we living up to our agreement with God? Have we been harkening to His voice and following His commandments? Do we realize how blessed we are to be His people?

O Lord, help us to live up to our calling to be a sacred people dedicated to you.

Amen.

First Friday of Lent

If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die.  None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him; he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced.  Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked? says the Lord GOD.  Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way that he may live?

Our lives are full of choices, both good and bad. Sometimes we choose sin over virtue. Sometimes we allow opportunities for good to pass us by without seizing them. Sometimes we do the wrong thing for selfish reasons. However, God is willing to forgive us if we are willing to turn away from our sins and make amends. If we seek Him out through the sacrament of confession, He will be more than willing to forget our past offenses and wash away our iniquities. But we must stay on the narrow path to heaven if we wish to have eternal life because just as he will forget our sins when we seek forgiveness, so too, He will forget our virtues if we fall into mortal sin. This is why it is so important to be ever on our guard against all temptation and choose good over evil.

What temptations and sins do we need to turn away from? How can we guard against them? Do we make regular use of the sacrament of confession?

O Lord, help us to turn away from our sins.

Amen.

Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle

Tend the flock of God in your midst, overseeing not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly. Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

We all are shepherds in some way. We might have children of our own to lead and guide through their lives. We might have jobs that require us to tend to others through service. There might be some other duty we are bound to which gives us responsibilities and duties towards others. No matter what position of power we are in, we should make sure to do not lord it over others, but rather lead by good and loving example. In this way, we can imitate Jesus, who was a good and faithful servant of all in spite of being the most powerful man to ever walk the earth.

How can we be better shepherds? Who are the people who are in our care? What can we do to guide them to better, holier, and love-filled lives?

O Lord, inspire your shepherds to lead your flock closer to you in all things.

Amen.