Lenten Reflection for 2/17
Saturday after Ash Wednesday
Daily Prayer
God of Truth, how cozy a little gossip seems now and then. We mean no harm as we exchange little morsels of speculation or rumor. Yet, how hurtful it is when the gossip is about ourselves or those we love. When we find ourselves seeking this little bit of diversion, remind us that the tongue can be like a small spark setting a great forest ablaze. Keep watch, O Lord, over our lips and up us, instead, to praise You and others. Amen
Scripture Readings
Isaiah 58:9b-14; Luke 5:27-32
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021724.cfm
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.