Monday, March 9, 2020

Monday of the Second Week of Lent

Saint Frances of Rome (1384-1440)

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 31:13-19
Mass: Dn 9:4b-10; Resp Ps 79; Lk 6:36-38


Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.

REDEEM ME, O LORD, AND HAVE MERCY ON ME. MY FOOT STANDS ON LEVEL GROUND; I WILL BLESS THE LORD IN THE ASSEMBLY.
(Entrance Antiphon, Mass)

The Holy Father has asked us to pray together this week the words of the Entrance Antiphon from Mass. As done today, it will be at the top of each post this week. Pope Francis is also offering Mass these days "for those who are sick from the coronavirus epidemic, for the doctors, nurses, volunteers who are helping them, for their families, for the elderly in nursing homes, for prisoners." We all know someone who is suffering in one way or another physically, emotionally, or spiritually. We join Pope Francis in prayer.

We are encouraged by the Word proclaimed at the beginning of this Second Week of Lent to go to the depths of our hearts and uncover the motivations behind our tendency to judge and condemn others, and our difficulty with forgiving those who trespass against us. The Lord tells us: Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful … give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you (Lk 6:36,3 8)

When we recall that we have sinned and have a sense of shame, this touches God's heart, and He responds with mercy. Today let us ask for the grace of shame.
(Pope Francis, homily, Twitter, March 9, 2020)

SAINT FRANCES OF ROME,
PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: More from City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, Ukiah, CA. Beauty in simplicity.

© Gertrude Feick 2020

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