01-MAR-'24, Friday of the Second Week of Lent

Friday of the Second Week of Lent

Lectionary: 234

Reading 1

Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a

Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons,

for he was the child of his old age;

and he had made him a long tunic.

When his brothers saw that their father loved him best of all his sons,

they hated him so much that they would not even greet him.

One day, when his brothers had gone

to pasture their father's flocks at Shechem,

Israel said to Joseph,

"Your brothers, you know, are tending our flocks at Shechem.

Get ready; I will send you to them."

So Joseph went after his brothers and caught up with them in Dothan.

They noticed him from a distance,

and before he came up to them, they plotted to kill him.

They said to one another: "Here comes that master dreamer!

Come on, let us kill him and throw him into one of the cisterns here;

we could say that a wild beast devoured him.

We shall then see what comes of his dreams."

When Reuben heard this,

he tried to save him from their hands, saying,

"We must not take his life.

Instead of shedding blood," he continued,

"just throw him into that cistern there in the desert;

but do not kill him outright."

His purpose was to rescue him from their hands

and return him to his father.

So when Joseph came up to them,

they stripped him of the long tunic he had on;

then they took him and threw him into the cistern,

which was empty and dry.

They then sat down to their meal.

Looking up, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead,

their camels laden with gum, balm and resin

to be taken down to Egypt.

Judah said to his brothers:

"What is to be gained by killing our brother and concealing his blood?

Rather, let us sell him to these Ishmaelites,

instead of doing away with him ourselves.

After all, he is our brother, our own flesh."

His brothers agreed.

They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21

R. (5a) Remember the marvels the Lord has done.

When the LORD called down a famine on the land

and ruined the crop that sustained them,

He sent a man before them,

Joseph, sold as a slave.

R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.

They had weighed him down with fetters,

and he was bound with chains,

Till his prediction came to pass

and the word of the LORD proved him true.

R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.

The king sent and released him,

the ruler of the peoples set him free.

He made him lord of his house

and ruler of all his possessions.

R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.

Verse Before the Gospel

John 3:16

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son;

so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.

Gospel

Mt 21:33-43, 45-46

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:

"Hear another parable.

There was a landowner who planted a vineyard,

put a hedge around it,

dug a wine press in it, and built a tower.

Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey.

When vintage time drew near,

he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce.

But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat,

another they killed, and a third they stoned.

Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones,

but they treated them in the same way.

Finally, he sent his son to them,

thinking, 'They will respect my son.'

But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another,

'This is the heir.

Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.'

They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.

What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?"

They answered him,

"He will put those wretched men to a wretched death

and lease his vineyard to other tenants

who will give him the produce at the proper times."

Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures:

The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone;

by the Lord has this been done,

and it is wonderful in our eyes?

Therefore, I say to you,

the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you

and given to a people that will produce its fruit."

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables,

they knew that he was speaking about them.

And although they were attempting to arrest him,

they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet.

Reflection 1

Catholic Daily Reflections

Building the Kingdom

“Therefore, I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.” Matthew 21:42

Are you among those from whom the Kingdom of God will be taken away? Or among those to whom it will be given so as to produce good fruit? This is an important question to sincerely answer.

The first grouping of people, those who will have the Kingdom of God taken away from them, are represented in this parable by the tenants of the vineyard. It is clear that one of their greatest sins is greed. They are selfish. They see the vineyard as a place through which they can enrich themselves and care little about the good of others. Sadly, this mind frame is easy to adopt in our own lives. It’s easy to see life as a series of opportunities for us to “get ahead.” It’s easy to approach life in a way that we are constantly looking out for ourselves rather than sincerely seeking the good of others.

The second grouping of people, those to whom the Kingdom of God will be given so that it will produce good fruit, are those who understand that the central purpose of life is not to simply enrich themselves but to share the love of God with others. These are the people who are constantly looking for ways that they can be a true blessing to others. It’s the difference between selfishness and generosity.

But the generosity to which we are primarily called is to build up the Kingdom of God. This is done through works of charity, but it must be a charity that is motivated by the Gospel and has the Gospel as its ultimate end. Caring for the needy, teaching, serving and the like are all good only when Christ is the motivation and end goal. Our lives must make Jesus more known and loved, more understood and followed. In fact, even if we were to feed a multitude of people in poverty, care for those who were sick, or visit those who were lonely, but did it for reasons other than to ultimately share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, then our work would not produce the good fruit of building up the Kingdom of Heaven. In that case, we would only be philanthropists rather than missionaries of the love of God.

Reflect, today, upon the mission given to you by our Lord to produce an abundance of good fruit for the upbuilding of His Kingdom. Know that this can only be accomplished by prayerfully seeking out the way God is inspiring you to act. Seek to serve His will alone so that all you do will be for God’s glory and the salvation of souls.

Reflection 2

One Bread, One Body

HOPE FOR HOPELESS FAMILIES

“When his brothers saw that their father loved him best of all his sons, they hated him so much that they would not even greet him.” —Genesis 37:4

The family of Israel (Jacob) was a mess. Israel had two wives and two families. He favored Joseph, his first son from his favorite wife. Therefore, the brothers in Israel’s other family resented Joseph. “They hated him so much that they would not even greet him” (Gn 37:4). Joseph’s half-brothers intended to kill him with their own hands (Gn 37:18). Then they decided to throw him into a cistern and let him starve to death (Gn 37:22). They finally sold Joseph into slavery (Gn 37:28) and then lied to their father by giving him the impression that Joseph was killed by a wild animal (Gn 37:20, 31-33). Joseph’s brothers lived that lie for many years. Some of them became guilt-ridden and blamed each other for breaking their father’s heart (see Gn 42:22).

More and more families can relate to the chaos of Israel’s family. They have experienced rejection, hatred, infidelity, divorce, brokenness, abuse, or even incest. Because Israel’s family was eventually reconciled, healed, and restored, we have hope that the Lord can restore any family. The Lord promised that He would work through our fasting and that we would be called “Restorer of ruined homesteads” (Is 58:12). There is hope for even the most destroyed family. There is hope this Lent. There is hope in Jesus. “I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope” (Jer 29:11).

Prayer:  Father, be a father to the most hurting families.

Promise:  “The Stone which the builders rejected has become the Keystone of the structure. It was the Lord Who did this and we find it marvelous to behold.” —Mt 21:42

Praise:  Bill, a grade school principal, led his school in collecting and then personally delivering survival boxes to a hurricane-ridden city. He was filled with God’s love for the brokenhearted.

Reflection 3

Shared from God's Word

One of the most painful experiences in life is the trauma of being rejected. The pain becomes more intense when the rejection is from one’s own family. Today we hear of the rejection of Joseph and JESUS. Joseph’s brothers plotted to kill him, and eventually sold him for 20 pieces of silver. In the Gospel parable, JESUS is the Son rejected and killed by his “own” people. However, rejection is rarely permanent! Joseph should have ended up as an obscure slave in Egypt. Instead, God Himself was behind the whole drama in order to save His people from famine. JESUS should have ended up as an obscure crucified criminal; instead, GOD raised him from the dead and he saved his own people. When I experience rejection, can I believe nothing can frustrate GOD’s plans for me and my world?

Prayers

My glorious King, I pray that Your Kingdom will grow and that many souls will come to know You as their Lord and God. Use me, dear Lord, for the upbuilding of that Kingdom and help all my actions in life to bear abundant and good fruit. Jesus, I trust in You.

Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which you have given us - for all the pains and insults which you have borne for us. O most merciful redeemer, friend, and brother, may we know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, for your own sake. (prayer of St. Richard of Chichester, 13th century)

Daily Reflections on Divine Mercy

Reflection 61: Where Happiness Comes From

Could you be happy if you were in prison?  Or what if you were called at a young age to enter a cloistered monastery and live in seclusion throughout your life?  Could you find happiness if you were living in the utmost poverty having barely enough to feed your family each and every day?  The answer is “Yes.”  You most certainly can find happiness within any situation of life.  How?  Happiness is not dependent upon the external circumstances of life that are out of our control.  It is not dependent upon wealth, physical freedom, or even vocational callings.  Happiness is found exclusively in the fact that we are intimately united with our Divine Lord, no matter what our vocation or life circumstances.  The question is whether or not you are in love with God (See Diary #201).

Reflect upon your interior relationship with our Divine Lord.  Do you know and love Him in a real and personal way?  Do you daily communicate with Him and spend your day in His presence?  Is your life of prayer alive and flourishing?  Does your heart burst forth with a burning love?  God loves you perfectly.  Love Him back and you will find your source of your joy in life.

My dear Lord, help me to love you with a burning love.  Help me to know You in the most intimate and personal of ways.  I know that my happiness depends solely upon my love for You.  May that love in my heart increase daily so that I may be one with You in all things.  Jesus, I trust in You.

29-FEB-'24, Thursday of the Second Week of Lent

Thursday of the Second Week of Lent

Lectionary: 233

Reading 1

Jeremiah 17:5-10

Thus says the LORD:

Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings,

who seeks his strength in flesh,

whose heart turns away from the LORD.

He is like a barren bush in the desert

that enjoys no change of season,

But stands in a lava waste,

a salt and empty earth.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

whose hope is the LORD.

He is like a tree planted beside the waters

that stretches out its roots to the stream:

It fears not the heat when it comes,

its leaves stay green;

In the year of drought it shows no distress,

but still bears fruit.

More tortuous than all else is the human heart,

beyond remedy; who can understand it?

I, the LORD, alone probe the mind

and test the heart,

To reward everyone according to his ways,

according to the merit of his deeds.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6

R. (40:5a) Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

Blessed the man who follows not

the counsel of the wicked

Nor walks in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the company of the insolent,

But delights in the law of the LORD

and meditates on his law day and night.

R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

He is like a tree

planted near running water,

That yields its fruit in due season,

and whose leaves never fade.

Whatever he does, prospers.

R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

Not so, the wicked, not so;

they are like chaff which the wind drives away.

For the LORD watches over the way of the just,

but the way of the wicked vanishes.

R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

Verse Before the Gospel

See Luke 8:15

Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart

and yield a harvest through perseverance.

Gospel

Luke 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees:

"There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen

and dined sumptuously each day.

And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,

who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps

that fell from the rich man's table.

Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.

When the poor man died,

he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.

The rich man also died and was buried,

and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,

he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off

and Lazarus at his side.

And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me.

Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,

for I am suffering torment in these flames.'

Abraham replied, 'My child,

remember that you received what was good during your lifetime

while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;

but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.

Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established

to prevent anyone from crossing

who might wish to go from our side to yours

or from your side to ours.'

He said, 'Then I beg you, father, send him

to my father's house,

for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them,

lest they too come to this place of torment.'

But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets.

Let them listen to them.'

He said, 'Oh no, father Abraham,

but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'

Then Abraham said,

'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,

neither will they be persuaded

if someone should rise from the dead.'"

Reflection 1

Catholic Daily Reflections

A Powerful Contrast

Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.” Luke 16:19–21

One of the reasons this story is so powerful is because of the clear descriptive contrast between the rich man and Lazarus. The contrast is not only seen in the passage above, it is also seen in the final outcome of each of their lives.

In the first contrast, the rich man’s life seems much more desirable, at least on the surface. He is rich, has a home to live in, dresses in fine clothing and eats sumptuously every day. By contrast, Lazarus is poor, has no home, has no food, is covered with sores and even endures the humiliation of dogs licking his wounds. Which of these persons would you prefer to be?

Before you answer that question, consider the second contrast. When they both die, they experience very different eternal fates. When the poor man died, he was “carried away by angels.” And when the rich man died, he went to the netherworld, where there was ongoing torment. So again, which of these persons would you prefer to be?

One of the most seductive and deceptive realities in life is the lure of riches, luxury and the fine things in life. Though the material world is not bad in and of itself, there is great temptation that goes along with it. In fact, it is clear from this story and from the many other teachings of Jesus on this topic that the lure of riches and its effect on the soul cannot be ignored. Those who are rich in the things of this world are often tempted to live for themselves rather than living for others. When one has all the comforts this world has to offer, it’s easy to simply enjoy those comforts without concern for others. And that is clearly the unspoken contrast between these two men.

Though poor, it is clear that Lazarus is rich in the things that matter in life. This is evidenced by His eternal reward. It is clear that in his material poverty, he was rich in charity. The man who was rich in the things of this world was clearly poor in charity and, thus, upon losing his physical life, he had nothing to take with him. No eternal merit. No charity. Nothing.

Reflect, today, upon that which you desire in life. Too often, the deceptions of material wealth and worldly possessions dominate our desires. In fact, even those who have little can easily become consumed with these unhealthy desires. Seek, instead, to desire only that which is eternal. Desire love of God and love of neighbor. Make this your only goal in life and you, too, will be carried away by angels when your life is completed.

Reflection 2

One Bread, One Body

THE WORD FOR LENT

“Happy the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, but delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on His law day and night.” —Psalm 1:1-2

When Jesus fasted for forty days in the desert, He overcame the temptations of Satan by quoting the Scriptures (see Lk 4:4, 8, 12).

Jesus told the Pharisees that listening to Moses and the prophets, that is, the Scriptures, has more power to change our hearts than meeting someone raised from the dead (Lk 16:31).

On the day Jesus rose from the dead, He spent the afternoon and evening interpreting the Scriptures (Lk 24:27, 45).

After the first Christian Pentecost, the new-born Church devoted itself to the apostles’ instruction, which was based on the Scriptures (Acts 2:42).

Therefore, St. Jerome, the patron of Catholic Bible studies, insisted: “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” The Church officially accepted this assertion in Vatican II. It is re-stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (133). “The Church has always venerated the Scriptures as she venerates the Lord’s Body” (Catechism, 103). “The Church ‘forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful...to learn “the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ,” by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures’ ” (Catechism, 133).

Abide in God’s Word (Jn 8:31; 15:7). May it be the “joy and the happiness” of your heart (Jer 15:16).

Prayer:  Father, I put Your Word on the lampstand of my life so as to give light to all in the house (Lk 8:16).

Promise:  “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose Hope is the Lord.” —Jer 17:7

Praise:  Charlie has faithfully taught the Bible for over ten years.

Reflection 3

The Servants of the Word

Lazarus Was Carried to Abraham's Bosom

What sustains you when trials and affliction come your way? The prophet Jeremiah tells us that whoever relies on God will not be disappointed or be in want when everything around them dries up or disappears (Jeremiah 17:7-8). God will not only be their consolation, but their inexhaustible source of hope and joy as well.

We lose what we hold on to - we gain what we give away

Jesus' parable about the afflictions of the poor man Lazarus brings home a similar point. In this story Jesus paints a dramatic scene of contrasts - riches and poverty, heaven and hell, compassion and indifference, inclusion and exclusion. We also see an abrupt and dramatic reversal of fortune. Lazarus was not only poor, but sick and unable to fend for himself. He was "laid" at the gates of the rich man's house. The dogs which licked his sores probably also stole the little bread he got for himself. Dogs in the ancient world symbolized contempt. Enduring the torment of these savage dogs only added to the poor man's miseries and sufferings.

The rich man treated the beggar with contempt and indifference, until he found his fortunes reversed at the end of his life! In God's economy, those who hold on possessively to what they have, lose it all in the end, while those who share generously receive back many times more than they gave away.

Do not lose hope - God rewards those who trust in him

The name Lazarus means God is my help. Despite a life of misfortune and suffering, Lazarus did not lose hope in God. His eyes were set on a treasure stored up for him in heaven. The rich man, however, could not see beyond his material wealth and possessions. He not only had every thing he needed, he selfishly spent all he had on himself. He was too absorbed in what he possessed to notice the needs of those around him. He lost sight of God and the treasure of heaven because he was preoccupied with seeking happiness in material things. He served wealth rather than God. In the end the rich man became a beggar!

Do you know the joy and freedom of possessing God as your true and lasting treasure? Those who put their hope and security in heaven will not be disappointed (see Hebrews 6:19).

Prayers

My Lord of true riches, You chose to be poor in this world as a sign to us that true riches come not with material wealth but with love. Help me to love You, my God, with all my being and to love others as You love them. May I be wise enough to make spiritual riches my single goal in life so that these riches will be enjoyed for all eternity. Jesus, I trust in You.

Lord Jesus, you are my joy and my treasure. Make me rich in the things of heaven and give me a generous heart that I may freely share with others the spiritual and material treasures you have given to me.

Daily Reflections on Divine Mercy

Reflection 60: Dealing With a Spiritual Drought

Does your soul feel like it is in a spiritual drought at times?  Do you wish you could have greater spiritual consolation in your daily life.  This is a common struggle and one that we should not worry about.  The primary goal of our spiritual life is to do the Will of God.  Often times, a certain spiritual dryness actually helps us live the Will of God more than powerful and emotional spiritual consolations.  God knows what we need and will give it to us when we need it (See Diary #195).

Consider, today, how you feel inside.  What does your spiritual life feel like today?  Now set that thought aside and realize that there is only one thing that ultimately matters: doing the Will of God, not feeling the Will of God.  “Doing” must be our food and our strength.  Contrast your feelings with your doing today and ask our Lord for grace to live out His Will.

Lord, I recommit myself to Your most holy Will this day.  I commit myself to doing that which You command.  May I see all Your commands as commands of love.  May my embrace of these commands bring strength and peace to my soul, especially during times of spiritual dryness.  Jesus, I trust in You.