Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress": March 12

Readings

Jon 3:1-10 Lord to Jonah: “Set out for Nineveh, and prophesy.” He began his journey, announcing, “40 days and Nineveh shall be destroyed”; they believed and proclaimed a fast. The king rose, covered himself with sackcloth, sat in ashes, and proclaimed a fast: “Repent; God may relent and save us.” God saw; he repented and didn't carry out the evil he'd threatened.

Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19 "A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn." Have mercy on me. Create a clean heart for me.

Lk 11:29-32 “No sign will be given this evil generation but the sign of Jonah; the Son of Man will be a sign like Jonah. At the judgment, the queen of the south who came to hear Solomon's wisdom will condemn this generation; at the judgment, repentant Nineveh will condemn this generation. There is something greater than Solomon and Jonah here.”

Pope Francis

Msgr. De Donatis-preached papal retreat, day 3: We're like pomegranates with many seeds God mixes and breathes life into. If we prevent the breath of God, divine merciful love, from penetrating us, the seeds grow, explode, and destroy the fruit. When Jesus freed the demoniac (Mk 5:1-20) and sent the demons into the swine, people cared more about the pig disaster and begged Jesus to go; their 'economic ideology' kept them from encountering Jesus. God saved the demoniac not because of his actions but so he might know God's love; we need the Spirit's help to attain this love. Don't show what Christians accomplish but what God accomplishes through us. Recognize we're pardoned sinners saved by grace. Don't feel you always have to do something; everything should flow as the fruit of the Spirit.

Retreat on the Spirituality of Pope Francis: Open to being drawn outside of and beyond ourselves, for others: audio, video

Reflections

Creighton: Before Jonah prophesied, he ran the other way, and God brought him back. After God relents, he's mad because it conflicted with the prophesy. May I find courage to prophesy, not run away, and to be at peace with God's outcome.

One Bread One Body: Before Jonah's prophecy about Nineveh's destruction in 40 days, he spent three days in the "whale." Jesus offered the sign of Jonah (who "rose" after three days "buried"), linking 40 days with three. He also fasted 40 days to prepare for his "three days" buried. Let's use "40-day" Lent to prepare for the 3-day Triduum.

Passionist: Jesus didn't give them the 'sign' they wanted. Let's be open to the daily signs: God in others, Scripture, the Eucharist... They'll lead us to the 'sign' of the Cross of Jesus, of God's infinite love.

Music

Apparel

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Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress"