Year of Saint Joseph
Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 16 The Celebration of the Divine Office During the Day
Mass: Is 58:1-9a; Resp Ps 51; Mt 9:14-15
Wash me, make me whiter than snow.
THIS PEOPLE DRAWS NEAR WITH WORDS ONLY AND HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS ALONE, THOUGH THEIR HEARTS ARE FROM ME.
(Is 29:13)
A theme that weaves through both of today's readings from Mass is one of fasting. The Lord God, through the Prophet Isaiah, is pretty clear in what He means by fasting, by what is acceptable to Him and what is not. In the Gospel, Jesus is questioned once again, this time by those who are curious about the disciples apparent "lack" of "appropriate" fasting. I have been thinking these days about fasting and how dangerous it can be to decide how others should fast, and what they should fast from. The importance of Church, communal, and familial customs is one thing. As adults though, each one us has to decide what kind of fasting we should focus on during this holy season. And seek guidance or suggestions from others as needed. I found something that may help keep it all in perspective: "The most spectacular feats of asceticism mean nothing if they do not free us to offer true worship and obedience to God. Let us seek the real meaning of Lenten fasts and acts of penance" (Magnificat, Prayer for the Morning, February 19, 2021). With the guidance and wisdom of Saint Benedict then, "let each one deny himself some food, drink, sleep, needless talking and idle jesting, and look forward to holy Easter with joy and spiritual longing" (RB 49:7).
HEART OF JESUS, DESIRE OF THE EVERLASTING HILLS,
HAVE MERCY ON US.
JOSEPH MOST STRONG,
PRAY FOR US.
Today's photo: I'm Bean Thomas in snowy Westfield, Indiana. My mom is LCM, a friend of Sister Gertrude's since 7th grade. Woof!
© Gertrude Feick 2021
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