Monday, February 26, 2024

27-FEB-24, Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent


Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent

Lectionary: 231


Reading 1

Isaiah 1:10, 16-20

Hear the word of the LORD,

princes of Sodom!

Listen to the instruction of our God,

people of Gomorrah!


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!


Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23

R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.


"Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,

for your burnt offerings are before me always.

I take from your house no bullock,

no goats out of your fold."

R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.


"Why do you recite my statutes,

and profess my covenant with your mouth,

Though you hate discipline

and cast my words behind you?"

R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.


"When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?

Or do you think that I am like yourself?

I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.

He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;

and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God."

R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.


Verse Before the Gospel 

Ezekiel 18:31

Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the LORD,

and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.


Gospel

Matthew 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,

"The scribes and the Pharisees

have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.

Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,

but do not follow their example.

For they preach but they do not practice.

They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry

and lay them on people's shoulders,

but they will not lift a finger to move them.

All their works are performed to be seen.

They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.

They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,

greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.'

As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.'

You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.

Call no one on earth your father;

you have but one Father in heaven.

Do not be called 'Master';

you have but one master, the Christ.

The greatest among you must be your servant.

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;

but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."


Reflection 1

Catholic Daily Reflections


True Greatness


“The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:11–12


Do you want to be truly great? Do you want your life to truly make a difference in the lives of others? Deep down this desire for greatness is placed within us by our Lord, and it will never go away. Even those who live eternally in hell will hold on to this innate desire, which for them will be the cause of eternal pain, since that desire will never be fulfilled. And sometimes it’s useful to ponder that reality as a motivation to make sure that this is not the fate we encounter.


In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us one of the keys to greatness. “The greatest among you must be your servant.” Being a servant means that you put others before yourself. You elevate their needs rather than trying to get them to be attentive to your needs. And this is difficult to do.


It’s very easy in life to think of ourselves first. But the key is that we do put ourselves “first,” in a sense, when we practically put others before us. This is because the choice to put others first is not only good for them, it’s also exactly what is best for us. We were made for love. We were made to serve others. We were made for the purpose of giving of ourselves to others without counting the cost. But when we do this, we do not lose ourselves. On the contrary, it is in the act of giving of ourselves and seeing the other first that we actually discover who we are and become what we were created to be. We become love itself. And a person who loves is a person who is great…and a person who is great is a person whom God exalts.


Reflect, today, upon the great mystery and calling of humility. If you find it difficult to put others first and to act as their servant, do it anyway. Make the choice to humble yourself before everyone else. Elevate their concerns. Be attentive to their needs. Listen to what they say. Show them compassion and be ready and willing to do so to the fullest extent. If you do, that desire for greatness that lives deep within your heart will be fulfilled.


Reflection 2

One Bread, One Body


PRIDE KILLS


“Whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.” —Matthew 23:12


The religious leaders at the time of Jesus’ public ministry were blind fools and hypocrites. They were oppressive to the people in that they bound up “heavy loads, hard to carry, to lay on other men’s shoulders” (Mt 23:4). The cause of this blind, foolish, oppressive hypocrisy was pride. This pride manifested itself by the type and manner of works these leaders performed (Mt 23:5), by their seating arrangements at banquets and in synagogues (Mt 23:6), by their clothes (Mt 23:5), and by their titles (Mt 23:7-10).


Do you show signs of pride by the way you talk, work, dress, buy, think, or even pray? Have you avoided signs of pride but deep down you know that you are proud of not looking proud or even of appearing humble? Pride is so deceitful and self-deceptive.


Humble yourself now by repenting, forgiving, and confessing your sins. Humble yourself by apologizing, simplifying, fasting, serving, and suffering. Humble yourself by taking up your daily crosses (see Phil 2:8; cf Lk 9:23). Otherwise, you will lose your spiritual sight and be a fool and a phony, who will crush the spirits of others, break their hearts, and dash their hopes. Pride is a brutal killer of innocent people. Look what the pride of some religious leaders did to Jesus. They tortured, crucified, and murdered God. Repent of pride and humble yourself.


Prayer:  Father, by Your grace I decide to humble myself before I hurt more innocent victims.


Promise:  “Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool.” —Is 1:18


Praise:  St. Gregory, an Armenian monk, was declared a Doctor of the Church in 2015.


Reflection 3

by Michael Kavan

Creighton University's School of Medicine


Whenever I start thinking too highly of myself I either hang out with my closest friends, spend time with my four daughters, or read Matthew 23:1-12. Wow, all provide great reminders regarding my place in the world. In today’s Gospel reading by Matthew, Jesus is speaking to the crowds about the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus acknowledges their standing and even told the people to “do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you.” But then he tells them not to follow their example.


Jesus is clear in recognizing the authority of the scribes and Pharisees, but then hits them hard on several fronts. First, Jesus notes that the scribes and Pharisees expect others to strictly follow laws central to their teachings (e.g., Sabbath, purity codes) without regard to the onerous burden these laws place on the poor or marginalized - or without assisting them, in any way, with these conditions. He then states that the scribes and Pharisees engage in works meant to be seen. They not only seek out, but “love” places of honor at banquets and being honorably recognized and called “Rabbi” or “Father.” And then the final blow – “The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”


Although there is a lot to unwrap here, I would suggest we consider the following practical ways of living out these words of Jesus. First, Jesus reminds us of the importance of flexibility and context when applying the laws of scripture. He also emphasizes the value of humility in life. And he is keen to point out that we have but one Father in heaven and one Master and that is Christ. So, let us listen to their words in scripture, but also to remind ourselves of the importance of following the example that Jesus provided to us on earth. Never assume that we are better than anyone else, treat all people in an egalitarian manner, search for opportunities to bring about justice, and act without fanfare, but with a sense of humility. And remember: All for the great glory of God – not self. 


Prayers

My humble Lord, thank You for the witness of Your humility. You chose to put all people first, even to the point of allowing Yourself to experience the suffering and death which was a consequence of our sins. Give me a heart that is humble, dear Lord, so that You can use me to share Your perfect love with others.  Jesus, I trust in You.


Lord Jesus, you became a servant for my sake to set me free from the tyranny of selfish pride and self-concern. Teach me to be humble as you are humble and to love others generously with selfless service and kindness.


Daily Reflections on Divine Mercy


Reflection 58: Purification of Sin

Sin is a topic that many avoid.  We don’t like to think about our sins.  We don’t like to admit to them, and we often rationalize them as if we do not have any.  We can easily come up with excuses for this “sin” or that.  But here is another perspective on sin.  We should see our sin, no matter how grave or how small, as a little twig.  And then we should see a huge and blazing fire.  If you were to throw that twig into the fire it would immediately be consumed.  The twig is our sin and God’s Mercy is so powerful that it can easily and quickly consume it.  We only need to be willing to admit our sins and throw them into that burning fire of Divine Mercy (See Diary #178).


Can you admit your sin?  Do you see your sin?  No excuses, just honesty.  And are you willing to confess your sins, all of them, in the sacramental fire of Reconciliation?  If you are aware of the power of God’s Divine Mercy and His willingness to eliminate your sin, you will have no fear in honestly admitting it and letting Him consume it.  Try to examine your conscience today and face that which you need to let God burn away.


Lord, Your Divine Mercy is infinite and most powerful.  It is a flame of burning love.  Help me to trust in You enough to face my sin honestly and to throw it into the fire of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  May I trust in this glorious Sacrament and, in so doing, may I trust in You.  Jesus, I do trust in You.

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