First Reading
Isaiah 55:10-11
Thus says the LORD:
Just as from the heavens
the rain and snow come down
And do not return there
till they have watered the earth,
making it fertile and fruitful,
Giving seed to the one who sows
and bread to the one who eats,
So shall my word be
that goes forth from my mouth;
It shall not return to me void,
but shall do my will,
achieving the end for which I sent it.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19
R. (18b) From all their distress God rescues the just.
Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
R. From all their distress God rescues the just.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
R. From all their distress God rescues the just.
The LORD has eyes for the just,
and ears for their cry.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
R. From all their distress God rescues the just.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
R. From all their distress God rescues the just.
Gospel
Matthew 6:7-15
Jesus said to his disciples:
“In praying, do not babble like the pagans,
who think that they will be heard because of their many words.
Do not be like them.
Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
“This is how you are to pray:
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
“If you forgive men their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men,
neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
REFLECTION
SOURCE: One Bread One Body
TITLE: THIS LENT
"When the just cry out, the Lord hears them, and from all their distress He rescues them. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit He saves." –Psalm 34:18-19
Lent is seven days old. Have you fasted and prayed in imitation of Jesus these seven days? Have you forgiven all who have hurt you – even all your enemies? (see Mt 6:12) Are you emptying yourself (see Phil 2:7) so as to be filled with "the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ's love"? (Eph 3:18) Lent is a grace, a gift of a springtime for our relationship with the Lord. However, this grace is not forced on us. We must show we accept it by fasting, praying, forgiving, repenting, and obeying.
Through this Lent, the Lord will make deserts "fertile and fruitful" (Is 55:10). Where there is nothing, the Lord will plant something – "giving seed to him who sows and bread to him who eats" (Is 55:10). If we let God have His way, this Lent will not be wasted, empty, or "void," but shall do His will, "achieving the end for which" He sent it (Is 55:11).
Make this Lent the best one of your life. Observe it as if it were the first Lent or your last one. May this Lent culminate in the renewal of your baptismal promises at Easter Vigil or Easter Sunday Mass. Totally commit your life to Jesus. May this Lent prepare you to meet the risen Christ and to be risen by Him from the dead. May this Lent prepare you for the end of the world, Christ's final coming, Judgment Day, and eternal happiness in heaven.
PRAYER: Father, may this be the Lent of a lifetime.
PROMISE: "This is how you are to pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.' " –Mt 6:9-10
PRAISE: Ann's fasting reminds her to pray. Her prayer helps her fast
...may the good Lord bless His holy word in our hearts...
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