Monday of the First Week of Lent
Daily Prayer
Heavenly Father, from whom all good things come, Your Son said to care for the poor so that we can have treasure in heaven. Help us to let go of our earthly possessions and trust in Your promise of a rich eternal life. Direct our actions according to Your will, so that in the name of Your beloved Son we may abound in good works. Amen
Scripture Readings
Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18; Matthew 25:31-46
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021924.cfm
Scripture Quote
Matthew 25:45
[Jesus said to his disciples:]
“Amen, I say to you,
what you did not do for one of these least ones,
you did not do for me.”
Reflection
The readings today call us to love our neighbor as oneself. Can anyone truly do that? Perhaps not. And it’s because we’re human. We can achieve it by following the example of Jesus. We can start by listening to our neighbor’s story, visiting the sick, taking food to the hungry. We can take down the barriers to relationships that we continually build up, physical barriers to strangers but also barriers like prejudices, judgments, resentments, and fears. When we try to love our neighbor—and Jesus reminds us that He is one of “these least ones”—that is when we’re reaching for the divine.
Reflection Questions
How often do I think about and pray for my brothers and sisters in need?
What can I do to make their lives better?
The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate care for the spiritual and physical needs of “these least ones” by taking on the most difficult missions in the US and world. Will you support us today in your prayers and gifts?
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
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