“…we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and he heard our cry and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. He brought us out of Egypt
with his strong hand and outstretched arm, with terrifying power, with signs and wonders; and bringing us into this country, he gave us this land flowing with milk and honey.” (DT 26: 7-9)

Our Lord listens to us and looks upon us—“he heard our cry and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression.” He knows how and when to “bring us out of Egypt with his strong hand and outstretched arm” and “bring us into … land flowing with milk and honey.” We know either how or when, but God’s word assures us—when we cry, He listens, when we are in trouble, He sees it.

“One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; If you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted.” (IS 58: 9b-10a)

Marvelous is the care of Our Lord for us. The first IF takes care of us; the second one is for Him. The strategy of our Love and Life Programs comes from this: change yourself not your spouse—“if you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech.” Think freely, wisely and joyfully what you can do for your spouse to satisfy her/his needs, how to answer her/his hunger or how to cure her/his wounds. “THEN light shall rise for you.” We are always so important to Him; we are always the apple of His eye.

“I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversion, that he may live.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“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)

To Our Lord it is more important how we relate to others, how we protect our relationships,and how we serve others, rather than fasting which could focus our eyes on our achievements. Our Lord came to us and forgot His Lordship to give us His unconditional love: releasing, untying, setting free, breaking yokes, sharing bread, sheltering, clothing and always focused on us.

“Seek good and not evil so that you may live, and the Lord will be with you.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” (LK 9: 24-25)

Lent reminds us of our destination and our vocation. Our loving God wants us safe with Him in Heaven for all eternity. Our concern is so often focused only on this world—“to gain the whole world.” We are invited to refocus our lives if “we wish to save them.”

“Repent, says the Lord; the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his land and took pity on his people.” (JL 2: 18)

“Then the Lord was stirred” (or in some other translation—jealous). The Hebrew word describes the passionate and empathetic bond the Lord has with Israel. His concern is expressed in the words: “took pity on his people.” Ash Wednesday and Lent help us to remember how much we are loved, how much Our Lord “paid” for our liberation and how to return to Him with our whole hearts through almsgiving, prayer and fasting.

“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“May your eyes watch night and day over this temple, the place where you have decreed you shall be honored; may you heed the prayer which I, your servant, offer in this place.” (1 KGS 8: 29)

At that time it was only one place, one temple chosen by God—in Jerusalem. How blessed is our time, when we are surrounded by so many churches and chapels, where we have Our Lord present in the Tabernacles and where His “eyes watch night and day” to protect us, to answer our prayers and to love us. How blessed is our time in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

“Incline my heart, O God, to your decrees; and favor me with your law.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.” (MK 6: 55)

We can do the same—“bring in the sick on mats” but in our hearts to Our Lord. His answer is always the same: He “cured every disease among the people.” The only thing needed is people who know Him and will “scurry about the surrounding country and begin to bring in the sick to wherever he is.”

“Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God that is with me.” (1 COR 15: 10)

Our identity comes from God. He, who is our Creator and Redeemer, knows us perfectly. Without Him we can’t understand ourselves, grow properly and become effective. We need to cooperate with Him—“I have toiled harder”—knowing that “the grace of God is with me.”

“Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.”

Our Lord’s heart is always “moved with pity for us.” And He takes care for us in many ways. He “teaches them many things.” When we listen to Him, when we follow Him, we know Him better and understand more.

“My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, ‘John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.’ Others were saying, ‘He is Elijah’; still others, ‘He is a prophet like any of the prophets.’ But when Herod learned of it, he said, ‘It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.’” (MK 6: 14-16)

Now this is our responsibility—to take care of Our Lord’s fame. As His brothers and sisters, as His followers still we can protect His fame to “become widespread.” Today’s situation is the same—many opinions about Jesus exist, and the majority of them—false. We can show His true identity by practicing gentleness, respect, gift of selves and generous heart.

“Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart, and yield a harvest through perseverance.” (Gospel Acclamation)