Friday of the First Week of Lent

Saint Polycarp (- 155), Bishop, Martyr

DAY OF PRAYER AND FASTING FOR PEACE

Readings of the day: RB 18:12-19

Mass: Ezk 18:21-28; Resp. Ps 130; Mt 5:20-26

If you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement;

and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to council;

and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire.

(Mt 5:22)

We turn again to Pope Francis and Evangelii Gaudium:

We all have our likes and dislikes, and perhaps at this very moment we are angry with someone. At least let us say to the Lord: ‘Lord, I am angry with this person, with that person. I pray to you for him and for her’. To pray for a person with whom I am irritated is a beautiful step forward in love, and an act of evangelization.

LET US DO IT TODAY!

LET US NOT ALLOW OURSELVES

TO BE ROBBED OF THE IDEAL OF FRATERNAL LOVE!

(EG, 101)

Our heavenly Father always listens to His children when they cry out to Him in their pain. Today let us offer the Lord a day of prayer and fasting for peace.

(Pope Francis, Twitter, Feb. 23, 2018)