Monday, March 2, 2009

1st Week of Lent: Tuesday

FIRST READING (Isaiah 55:10-11)
Thus says the Lord: "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return not thither but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

GOSPEL (Matthew 6:7-15)
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples: "In praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:

"Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
And forgive us our debts,
As we also have forgiven our debtors;
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.

"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

REFLECTION
Words. Words. Words! Words are too much with us. Words from radios, TV, internet, iPods; words from friend and foe alike. We find poetic words in today’s Psalm 34; exhortative and prophetic words from Isaiah 55; and words of praise, petition and prayer in today’s gospel from Matthew. What is in a word? Words heal and hurt; words craft peace and declare war. To continue reading this reflection click HERE.

PRAYER
Look down upon thy household, O Lord,
and grant that our souls,
chastened by the mortification of the flesh,
may glow in Thy sight with the desire for Thee.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son,
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee
in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
God world without end. Amen.

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