Friday of the Second Week of Lent

Year of Saint Joseph

First Friday of the Month

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 28 Those Who Refuse to Amend After Frequent Reproofs

Mass: Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a; Resp Ps 105; Mt 21:33-43, 45-46

Remember the marvels the Lord has done.

HEART OF JESUS, FULL OF GOODNESS AND LOVE,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Welcome to the First Friday of the Month. Our prayers are with Pope Francis and the Iraqi people during the Holy Father's Apostolic Visit to Iraq, March 5-8. One of my favorite customs of popes as they travel for an Apostolic Visit is to send messages of peace and blessing to heads of state of countries the papal plane flies over. On his way to Iraq, Pope Francis sent messages to Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Palestine, Israel, and Jordan! 😊 For reflection then, how might you extend messages of peace and blessing to others today? And considering our readings at Mass, it seems a good day for such a gestures. 

We think of Joseph in the first reading from the Book of Genesis. I am reminded that as a child, one of may favorite books was Joseph and the Coat of Many Colors. I can see Joseph on the cover with a beautiful coat of vibrant colors. Joseph's brothers, so filled with jealousy and envy of their father's love for Joseph, wanted to kill Joseph and throw him into a cistern. Then there is the son of the landowner in the Gospel. He was seized and killed by tenants so filled with jealousy and envy. As we extend a message of peace and blessing to those we encounter today, especially to those with whom we have difficulties, may we remember Saint Benedict's tools for good works: Harbor neither hatred or jealousy of anyone, and do nothing out of envy (RB 4:65-67).

FOR JESUS KNEW THAT IT WAS OUT OF ENVY THAT THEY HANDED HIM OVER.

(Mt 27:18)

THE STONE THAT THE BUILDERS REJECTED HAS BECOME THE CORNERSTONE; BY THE LORD HAS THIS BEEN DONE, AND IT IS WONDERFUL IN OUR EYES.

(Mt 21:42/Ps 118:22-23)

Today's photo: A garden shot taken yesterday afternoon.

© Gertrude Feick 2021