Involuntary Eucharistic Fast: Day 4
My apologies, dear audience, for my shameful tantrums this week. I'm not done criticizing, but I am done whining. I remain inconsolable, because the only consolation to be found is in the source & summit of the Christian faith, the Body,Blood, Soul, & Divinity of Christ from which the flock have been banned by our shepherds, for reasons I do not yet fathom & fear I never shall, this side the grave.
'Tis the Saturday of the Third Week of Lent (meaning "Spring;" the Latin name is Quadragesima, meaning "fortieth"): Quadragesima-link & Wikipedia-link Quadragesima.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
The Book of Hosea, chapter six, verses one thru six;
Psalm Fifty-one, verses three & four, eighteen & nineteen, & twenty & twenty-one(a/b)
(R/. see: the Book of Hosea, chapter six, verse six);
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter eighteen, verses nine thru fourteen.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today’s Gospel compares the self-centered prayer of the Pharisee with the God-centered prayer of the tax collector.Video reflection by Harry Dudley, D.Min. (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.
The Pharisee spoke his prayer to himself. This is, Jesus suggests, a fraudulent, wholly inadequate prayer, precisely because it simply confirms the man in his self-regard. And the god to which he prays is, necessarily, a false god, an idol, since it allows itself to be positioned by the ego-driven needs of the Pharisee.
But then Jesus invites us to meditate upon the publican’s prayer. He speaks with a simple eloquence: “He beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’” Though it is articulate speech, it is not language that confirms the independence and power of the speaker; just the contrary. It is more of a cry or a groan, an acknowledgement that he needs to receive something, this mysterious mercy for which he begs.
In the first prayer, “god” is the principal member of the audience arrayed before the ego of the Pharisee. But in this second prayer, God is the principal actor, and the publican is the audience awaiting a performance the contours of which he cannot fully foresee.
Reflect: How does the tenor of your prayers reflect who God is in your life: principal actor or a member of the audience?
"Easter of Hope" Reflection (Array of Hope):
In Today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us the importance of praying with a pure and sincere heart. He shares a parable that focuses on the intentions of the Pharisee and the tax collector. Though they were both praying to our Heavenly Father, their motives were very different. The Pharisee made a spectacle of himself, boasting his good works and sacrifices. However, the tax collector acknowledges that he is a sinner who is in need of God’s grace and mercy. Jesus concludes His parable by stating that ‘the latter went home justified, not the former.’Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 69
When it comes to prayer, are you like the Pharisee or the tax collector? Do you pray and perform pious acts with true sincerity or with hidden motives desiring to be recognized? We remember the words of St. Anthony of Padua, “actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak.” May our words and good actions be pure and reflect the love of Jesus. As we continue journeying through this Lenten season, let us approach our Lord in prayer with a sincere and willing heart.
Today’s Tip: Meditate on the tax collector’s prayer, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner,’ and ask Jesus to unify our hearts to His most pure Heart. Once we acknowledge our faults and humble ourselves before our Lord, will we receive His loving mercy for “the one who humbles himself will be exalted
The Book of Exodus, chapter thirty, verses one thru ten.
Commentary: The Altar of Incense (Exodus, 30:1-10).
Scripture Study—The 3:16 Project
The Book of Sirach, chapter chapter three, verse sixteen.
Whoever forsakes his father is like a blasphemer,'Tis the commemoration of Saint Lupicinus of Condat, Abbot (died circa 486), co-founder & abbot of Condat Abbey & Leuconne Abbey: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Condat.
& whoever angers his mother is cursed by the Lord.
Commentary: Brother of St. Romanus of Condat [28 February].
'Tis also the commemoration of Saint Enda of Aran, Priest & Abbot (circa 450-530; A.K.A. Éanna, Endeus, etc.), founding abbot of the Abbey of Killeaney: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Killeaney.
Commentary: Wayback Machine. Brother of St. Fanchea of Rossory [1 January].
'Tis also the commemoration of Saint Nicholas of Flüe, Hermit (1417-1487, A.K.A. Brother Klaus): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Tis also the commemoration of Blessed Thomas Pilchard, Priest & Martyr (1557-1587, also spelt Pilcher), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyr-link England & Wales & Wikipedia-link England & Wales.
'Tis also the commemoration of Blessed William Pike, Martyr (died 1591), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyr-link England & Wales & Wikipedia-link England & Wales.
Commentary: Bl. William was converted to the true Faith by fellow martyr Bl. Thomas.
'Tis also the commemoration of Blessed Matthew Flathers, Priest & Martyr (circa 1580-1608, A.K.A. Major), 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; Martyr-link England & Wales & Wikipedia-link England & Wales.
Papal Quote o' the Day
"The world is often closed in its riches or its power, corroded by conflicts, & drunk with violence or sexual release. It is the faith that bestows a liberation & puts the individual's facilities in order."Saint Quote o' the Day
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, r. 1963-1978; feast: 29 May)
"I keep up the Holy Hour… to grow more & more into His likeness… We become like that which we gaze upon. Looking into a sunset, the face takes on a golden glow. Looking at the Eucharistic Lord for an hour transforms the heart in a mysterious way."Chesterton Quote o' the Day
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)
"To see good is to see God."
—G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)
No comments:
Post a Comment