“… my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.” (Is 55:11)
Like rain and snow. “… do not return … till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful…” (Is 55:10). What would my life be without the Word of God? Every day it brings me His love, His advice, strengthening and courage, forgiveness and mercy… And it is fruitful not by my reception, but by His will. And with Him – there is always a happy end.
“O Lord, you have been our refuge, from generation to generation; from age to age, you are.” (Cf. Ps 90 (89), 1-2) – Entrance Antiphon
“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Mt 25:40)
To see Him. How much easier it would be for us if only we were be able to see Him. The hidden God. Or… we do not look in the right direction: “these least brothers of mine”.
It is such a comforting thought that I am so important for Him. I am His least brother, sister. And whatever you did for me, you did for Him.
“Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” (Mt 25:34-36)
“He said in reply: It is written: …” (Mt 4:4)
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Second Person in the Holy Trinity, the Eternal Word, used only the Bible in His dialogue with the tempter. He didn’t use any other argument. He only repeated three times: it is written. And it was enough. “The devil left him” (Mt 4:11).
I followed this example and found the appropriate sentences in the Bible for some of the devil’s temptations. And instead of fighting with him by myself, I am hiding behind the shield made by His Word.
“One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God” (Mt 4:4) – Communion Antiphon
“Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.” (Lk 5:31-32)
He is the remedy for all my wounds, injuries, chronic spiritual disease, my weakness and sins. He is the One who looks at me with all compassion, tenderness, respect, gentleness and pure love. He is not looking for any reward, any interest of His own. He is looking for my happiness. And what I can do is to imitate Him and act in the same way with my neighbors.
“I desire mercy, not sacrifice, says the Lord, for I did not come to call the just but sinners”. (Mt 9:13) – Communion Antiphon
“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; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.” (Is 58:6-7)
It is so important. Our way back to Him leads through people. When I look at Him, I should see people in need. We always have a little bit more than the others – sometimes more bread, sometimes more time, even one minute to listen to somebody; this one minute could be a shelter for the oppressed and for those who have nobody at home to talk to about their needs; your good word or a look full of love could be a clothing for somebody who’s “naked”, whose inner “skin” is fragile and wounded. God needs us to proclaim His Good News, He needs us to show His love and mercy. We need also help, but when we forget a little bit about ourselves and pay attention to the others…
“Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; Your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!” (Is 58:8-9)
“What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” (Lk 9:25)
Especially for us, men. “To gain the whole world”. How often do we think about our mission in this world in this way. No matter what profession: a teacher, lawyer, pilot, businessman… Even if my “whole world” is really, really small. How often it is so important – TO GAIN. And how often we lose ourselves. Too busy to pray, too much work to go home, too interested in the company, and so many “too”s.
Lent helps me reorganize my priorities. Go back to my real world. To the real life.
“Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him. For that will mean life for you, a long life for you to live on the land that the LORD swore he would give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” (Deuteronomy 30, 19-20).
“Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
The two sentences used by priests when they place the ash on the heads of all those who approach him during the service. And this necessity to choose has always been my problem: which one should I use? I love both of them.
“Repent, and believe in the Gospel” reminds me of His promises and direction: where to go for instructions, how to keep His Word alive in my life and present in all my actions.
“You are dust, and to dust you shall return” – reminds me of my human condition and limitations, but also of my fragility. He is my Savior and Redeemer, and with His help I can do everything but without Him I am only dust.
I think the meeting point for both sentences is in the words from the Gospel: give alms, pray and fast. Alms turn my attention to my brothers and sisters, prayer keeps me involved in His world, and fast reminds me of my spiritual condition.
“Let us correct our faults which we have committed in ignorance, let us not be taken unawares by the day of our death, looking in vain for leisure to repent.
Hear us, O Lord, and show us your mercy, for we have sinned against you.” (Responsory; Cf. Bar 3, 2; Ps 79 (78), 9)
“A hundred times more” (Mk 10, 30)
Again. I wrote about it last Thursday. But I like it very much. God being crazy for us. And the measure of His love to us. Which inspired me to think about my answer to the good I have received. There is no comparison between Him and us (or competition, if you like the idea of competing with Him in love). You give Him one hour of your time, and He will multiply this time one hundred times. The same with your rosary, Bible study, a smile to somebody else, etc.
“Whoever wishes to come after me, must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me, says the Lord” (Cf. Mt 16, 24) – Communion Antiphon
“All things are possible for God.” (Mk 10:27)
For God there is nothing like “some”, “few”, “a little…”. “All things”, “possible”, as yesterday: “ALL these things will be given” (Mt 6:33).
When God is looking for something good for me – it will be the best. Maybe we do not understand when it comes, but He will never accept for me anything less than extraordinary, outstanding, pure, unique, exceptional, etc. He is our Father, we are His children. He loves us. Totally. Unconditionally. Forever.
“Jesus, looking at him, loved him” (Mk 10:21).
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.” (Mt 6:33)
It is not a deal, a business. It is a consequence. If we put our concern first to God and His kingdom, we will see the world from a different perspective. I stop seeing the things I MUST get – and begin to see the things that are important. God is so simple: He is love. And love is simple. So with Him also our needs become simpler, because we know what is essential. We become more free.
“Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age, says the Lord” (Mt 28:20) – Communion Antiphon
