“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

“…anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Mk 10:15)

How difficult it is for us to be “like a little child.” The only way for me to be “like a child” is to let a child lead me while playing together. Of course you will draw all the attention of other people, but the child you are playing with will not even notice that.

Praying doesn’t mean a serious face, proper gesture, nice sentences… A prayer is: “it is so good to be with You, Lord”, “I love You”, “help me”, “thank You”, “Please…” and all the other words we use to address a living Person.

“Let my prayer come like incense before you” (Ps 141:2)

“They were putting him to the test.” (Mk 10:2)

“Putting him to test”. Human nature. From the beginning: testing God. Is He really a Father? Does He really take care of us? Is He…? Or maybe it is not our nature but the devil? Putting Him to the test in the beginning, now putting my loved ones to the test as well.

Whom do we trust? We have God’s Word and our doubts. “The Lord is kind and compassionate” (James 5:11). We can follow Him or …?

“Your word, O Lord, is truth: consecrate us in the truth” (Alleluia versus)

“Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, i say to you, will surely not lose his reward.” (Mk 9:41)

A simple gesture. “A cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ … will… not lose his reward”. He takes care of us. He knows about our needs. And He will take care of them. Even such simple things like a cup of water to drink.

There is only one IF. If people can recognize you belong to Christ.

So IF you received a cup of water to drink, or a breakfast, or dinner or anything else just because you belong to Christ – be sure that the people who helped you will not lose their reward. And knowing Him, you should remember His proportions – “will receive a hundred times as much, and also inherit eternal life” (Mt 19:29).

“Receive the word of God, not as the word of men, but as truly is, the word of God” (Alleluia versus)

“If the Lord wills it, we shall live to do this or that” (James 4:15)

“To do this or that” is always connected with the Lord’s will. And His will is so simple: to love one another. This should be our daily concern. To love my wife or husband every day, with gentleness and respect; examining my own conscience, not that of the spouse – do I express my love in what I do, have I given everything from myself today?

“If the Lord wills it, we shall live”. What we have is only today to express our love. Not during the weekend. Not even tomorrow. Only today we have a chance to do Our Lord’s will.

“I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.” (Alleluia versus)

“The nearer you go to God, the nearer God will come to you.” (James 4:8)

The basic strategy – not only to be “near” Him, but to be “nearer.” He is always close to us. We are His children, but even children can go far away from their Father. How often not because we want to, but because we forget about Him in daily life. So many things to do. Before going to sleep something reminds us: I haven’t prayed today. Too tired today. Tomorrow I will spend more time with Him. And “tomorrow” is always tomorrow. The only chance we have is today.

“The nearer you go to God”. How much nearer? In what way? Needs my answer. This is between me and Him: “You go – He will come to you”.

“… whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me” (Mk 9:37).

“Wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits…” (James 3:15)

From above. So it is grace, not only my dream. Salomon asked for wisdom not for riches. When we pray for that kind of wisdom, we can change the whole world, and especially our marriage and family life. Peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy – we can bring the fruit of peace and growth.

“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul; the decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple”. (Ps 19)