"Ash Wednesday"
'Tis Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent (meaning "Spring;" the Latin name is Quadragesima, meaning "fortieth"): Ash Wednesday-link, Ash Wednesday-link U.S.C.C.B., Wikipedia-link Ash Wednesday, & Wikipedia-link Quadragesima.
Commentary: Wayback Machine.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Ash Wednesday
The Book of Joel, chapter two, verses twelve thru eighteen;
Psalm Fifty-one (R/. see: three[a]), verses three & four, five & six, twelve & thirteen, & fourteen & seventeen;
The Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter five, verse twenty thru chapter six, verse two;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter six, verses one thru six, sixteen, seventeen, & eighteen.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel, the Lord prescribes prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as our Lenten disciplines.Reflect: How do you think the practices of Lent, specifically prayer, almsgiving, and fasting, can lead us to a deeper relationship with Christ?Video reflection by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D. (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.
The Church traditionally says there are three things we ought to do during Lent, and I put stress on the word do. In recent years we’ve emphasized the interior dimensions a little too much—that Lent is primarily about attitudes, about ideas and intentions. In the traditional practice of the Church, Lent is about doing things, things that involve the body as much as the mind, that involve the exterior of your life as much as the interior.
The three great practices of Lent—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—are three things you do. This is going to sound a little bit strange, but my recommendation for this Lent is, in a certain way, to forget about your spiritual life—by which I mean forget about looking inside at how you’re progressing spiritually. Follow the Church’s recommendations and do three things: pray, fast, and give alms. And as you do, pray to draw closer to the Lord as the center of your life—and the reason you do everything.
You also have to pray with persistence. One reason that we don't receive what we want through prayer is that we give up too easily. Augustine said that God sometimes delays in giving us what we want because he wants our hearts to expand.
Finally, we have to pray in Jesus' name. In doing so we are relying on his influence with the Father, trusting that the Father will listen to him.
Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 45
The Book of Exodus, chapter nineteen, verses one thru fifteen.
Commentary: The Israelites Reach Mount Sinai (Exodus, 19:1-15).
Scripture Study—The 3:16 Project
The Book of Numbers, chapter chapter three, verse sixteen.
So Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded.†
Otherwise, 26 February would be the festival of Saint Porphyry of Gaza, Bishop (circa 347-420), Bishop of Gaza (396-420): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Gaza.
Commentary: Wayback Machine.
'Twould also be the festival of Saint Agricola of Nevers, Bishop (died 594), Bishop of Nevers (580-594): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Nevers.
'Twould also be the festival of Blesseds Adalbert of Tegernsee, Abbot, & Ottokar of Tegernsee, Religious, O.S.B. (fl. 765), founders of the Tegernsee Abbey (circa 765): Blessed-link Alpha, Blessed-link Oscar, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Tegernsee.
'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Robert Drury, Priest & Martyr, Obl.S.B. (circa 1567-1607, also spelt Drewrie), martyred in the reign of the Anglo-Scottish king James VI & I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link England & Wales & Wikipedia-link England & Wales.
'Twould also be the festival of Saint Paula of Saint Joseph Calasanz, Religious (1799-1889, A.K.A. Paula Montal Fornés), foundress of the Sisters of the Pious Schools: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Piedad of the Cross, Religious (1842-1916, A.K.A. Tomasa Ortiz Real), foundress of the Congregation of Salesian Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.
Papal Quote o' the Day
"Let us not allow this season of grace to pass us in vain! Let us ask God to help us set out on a path of true conversion."Saint Quote o' the Day
—Pope Francis (b. 1936, r. 2013-present)
"No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks."Chesterton Quote o' the Day
—St. Ambrose of Milan, Doctor of the Church (340-397, feast: 7 December)
"Bowing down one's head in the dust is a very good thing, the humble beginning of all happiness. When we have bowed our heads in the dust for a little time, the happiness comes; & then (leaving our heads in the humble & reverent position) we kick up our heels behind in the air. That is the true origin of standing on one's head; & the ultimate defence of paradox."
—G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)
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