Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent

Year of Saint Joseph

Other saints: Saint Frances of Rome, Foundress (1384-1440)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 31:13-19

Mass: Dn 3:25, 34-43; Resp Ps 25; Mt 18;21-35

Remember your mercies, O Lord.

HEART OF JESUS, OF INFINITE MAJESTY,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Today is a good day to pray with Azariah (Abednego) (Dn 1:6) in the midst of the fiery furnace: "Blessed are you, and praiseworthy, O Lord ... and now we put our whole heart into following you; into fearing you and seeking your face once more. Do not disappoint us; treat us gently, as you yourself are gentle and very merciful" (Dn 3:26, 41-42). Since the Lord Our God, most kind and merciful, does not disappoint us, let us put our whole heart into following Him and extend that same kindness and mercy towards others. We can do this by forgiving one another from the depths of our hearts (Mt 18:35), "not seven times but seventy-times" (Mt 18:22). And also listen to something Saint Peter Chrysologus (380-450) preached: "If you hope for mercy, show mercy. If you look for kindness, show kindness. If you want to receive, give. If you ask for yourself what you deny to others, your asking is a mockery" (Office of Readings, Tuesday, Third Week of Lent).

We look also to our saint of the day, Saint Frances of Rome, for intercession and inspiration. Born in Rome in 1384, and although she wanted to become a nun, Frances was married at the age of 13. Yes, 13. She embraced her vocation though and was married for 40 years and was the mother of three sons. Frances persevered in the midst of many trials and suffering. Among other challenges were that Frances's husband was banished, two of her sons died of the plague, and she lost all her property (Universalis, March 9, 2021). She lived in a time when, according to a biographer, "many different diseases were rampant in Rome. Fatal diseases and plagues were everywhere, but the saint ignored the risk of contagion and displayed the deepest kindness toward the poor and the needy. Her empathy would first bring them to atone for their sins. Then she would help them by her eager care, and urge them lovingly to accept trials, however difficult, from the hand of God. She would encourage them to endure their sufferings for the love of Christ, since he had previously endured so much for them" (From the Life of Saint Frances of Rome by Mary Magadalene Anguillaria, superior of the Oblates of the Tower of Specchi, Office of Readings, March). Frances kept going with her eyes fixed on Jesus while she founded the Congregation of Oblates under the Rule of Saint Benedict. She died in 1440. Frances was canonized by Pope Paul V on May 29, 1608. Among other sources already referenced, see Butler's Lives of the Saints, March Volume, pp. 79-82. There is much more to the story of Frances of Rome.

Lent is a journey that involves our whole life, our entire being. It is a time to reconsider the path we are taking, to find the route that leads us home, and to rediscover our profound relationship with God, on whom everything depends.

(Pope Francis, Twitter, March 9, 2021)

Love our Lord Jesus Christ above everything in the world, for however much you love Him He still loves you more.

(Saint John of God)

SAINT FRANCES OF ROME,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Another look at our camillia.

© Gertrude Feick 2021