"Within the practices of religion, the Blessed Sacrament is what the Sun is to the stars; it is truly the soul of the Christian religion. It is the ineffable mystery that comprehends divine charity, by which God, truly uniting to us, communicates to us his magnificence, graces and favors.” [St. Francis de Sales]
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Today thank Jesus for the Gift of Himself in Word & in Eucharist.
May God Be Praised.
*Brother Mickey McGrath’s artwork is available at: https://www.bromickeymcgrath.com/
An old farmer died and left 17 cows to his three sons. In his will, the farmer stated that his oldest son should get 1/2, his middle son should get 1/3, and his youngest son should get 1/9 of all the cows.
The sons, who did not want to end up with half cows, so they sat for days trying to figure out how many cows each of them should get. One day, their neighbor came by to see how they were doing after their father's death.
The three sons told him their problem. After thinking for a while, the neighbor said: "I'll be right back!" He went away, and when he came back, the three sons could divide the cows according to their father's will, and in such a way that each of them got a whole number of cows.
What was the neighbor's solution?
He gave them his cow: the oldest son got 9, the middle son got 6, the youngest son got 2, that equals 17 and the neighbor got his cow back.
How can you help your neighbor?
May God Be Praised.
Rather than viewing this thought through the lens of nature today reflect on it through a spiritual lens. "Now is the time for turning. The leaves are beginning to turn from green to red to orange. The birds are beginning to turn and are heading once more toward the south. The animals are beginning to turn to storing their food for the winter.
For leaves, birds and animals, turning comes instinctively. But for us, turning does not come so easily. It takes an act of will for us to make a turn.
It means breaking old habits. It means admitting that we have been wrong, and this is never easy. It means losing face.
It means starting all over again. And this is always painful. It means saying I am sorry. It means recognizing that we have the ability to change. These things are terribly hard to do. But unless we turn, we will be trapped forever in yesterday's ways." [Gates of Repentance]
Allow the Grace of Lent to turn your self-interest into God interest, because God has your best interest at heart.
May God Be Praised.
Create a clean heart in me, O God; renew in me a steadfast spirit.
Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fVliokreqE
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This Lent ask God for Grace to clean heart and strengthen your heart.
May God Be Praised.
* Brother Mickey McGrath’s artwork is available at: https://www.bromickeymcgrath.com/
The Hebrew expression Tikkun olam, means repair or improve the world. Maybe today we could repair or improve the world by showing the people we interact with today the Face of Christ through our actions. That would improve and begin to repair the world.
May God Be Praised.
Lent Reminds Us.
Micah in our first reading Reminds us that a “wonderful sign” of God’s love is His pardon of our sins and the removal of our guilt. Our Responsorial Psalm Reminds us that the “The Lord is kind and merciful.” The famous story of the Prodigal Son, Resentful Son and Loving Father, Reminds us that loving, even loving our family is not always easy.
Henri Nouwen mused that we are all the Prodigal Son, Resentful Son and Hopefully we mature into the Loving Father. Today focus on the Fattened Calf.
The fattened calf was slaughtered for the Father. The Father is celebrating a resurrection and a return. Today take some time during this Lent to reflect on how God is Reminding us, to return to Prayer because “Prayer is the best weapon we possess, the key that opens the heart of God.” [St. Padre Pio]
May this Lent Remind us to love like The Father of the Prodigal and Resentful sons.
May God Be Praised.
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“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.” (Psalm 25)
Henri Nouwen offers us this reflection, “Against my own best intentions, …. When I give advice, I want to know whether it is being followed; when I offer help, I want to be thanked; when I give money, I want it to be used my way; when I do something good, I want to be remembered.”
During this Lent let’s take a few minutes to meditate on the Prodigal Son’s Father. He is not concerned about himself, he is focused on sharing Gods’ love with his family and with those whom he meets.
This Lent Lord help me learn I give without wanting anything in return, love without conditions or expectations? “… Lord teach me Your paths .… [help me] wait for You all the day long.”
May God Be Praised.
