Lenten Reflection for 2/25

Saturday After Ash Wednesday

Daily Prayer

Merciful Father, who through the grace of adoption chose us to be children of light, nourish us by the bread of life You give us so that we, through the renewal brought by Your Spirit, rise up in the light of life.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.


Scripture Readings

Isaiah 58:9b-14; Luke 5:27-32
(Click for today’s Readings.)

Scripture Quote

Isaiah 58:9b-10

Thus says the Lord:
“If you remove from your midst oppression,
      false accusation and malicious speech;
If you bestow your bread on the hungry
      and satisfy the afflicted;
Then light shall rise for you in the darkness,
      and the gloom shall become for you like midday.”


Reflection

Lent is a time of repentance when we can make a renewed effort to correct our weaknesses as well as do good for others. The prophet Isaiah gives us examples of both. One place to start is our speech. Do we complain of others? Gossip? Our first step is to simply recognize our own weaknesses. The more we strive to resist the temptation to sin, the easier it becomes to do so. Then the light of Easter shall rise for us.

Reflection Questions

  • When others make mistakes, am I quick to hurl angry words at them?
  • What attitudes and behaviors do I hold onto that keep me from growing closer to God?

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.