Friday after Ash Wednesday
Daily Prayer
Good and Gracious God, during this Lenten season, may we hear Your call to change and to be more Christ-like. Give us the strength to reach out to others, to forgive those who hurt us, and to forgive ourselves. Transform our hearts so that we always see others as the Body of Christ. Let Your light shine within us today. Amen
Scripture Readings
Isaiah 58:1-9a; Matthew 9:14-15
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021624.cfm
Scripture Quote
Isaiah 58:6, 8a
[Thus says the Lord:]
“This, rather, is the fasting that I wish:
releasing those bound unjustly,
untying the thongs of the yoke;
Setting free the oppressed,
breaking every yoke.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed.”
Reflection
What do our sacrifices and penance mean if we do not have love in our hearts? We see metanoia in action in this reading from the Old Testament. This is the metanoia that transforms our hearts impels us to look beyond the comfort of ourselves, our friends and our family and see those in our community who are not often seen. Because we are One Body of Christ, every action we take, seen or unseen, affects the other members of the community. If we care for the wounds of the poor, the needy, the abandoned and the abused, then the light of God’s spirit inside of us will be seen by those around us. It is we who are healed when we care for others.
Reflection Questions
What is one area of my life where I will seek healing today?
The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate care for the spiritual and physical needs of the poor and abandoned members of the Body of Christ 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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