March 18

March 18, 2014:  Tuesday, 2nd week of Lent

Readings

• Is 1:10, 16-20  Wash yourselves clean!  Cease doing evil; learn to do good.  Make justice your aim.  Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white.  If you obey, you'll eat well...

• Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23  "To the upright I will show the saving power of God."  Why recite my statutes when you hate discipline?  I'll correct you.  Offer praise as your sacrifice and do right.

• Mt 23:1-12  Do what the Scribes and Pharisees tell you, but don't follow their example; they don't practice what they preach.  Don't be called ‘Rabbi’ or ‘Master’ or call people ‘Father’; God is the only Father.  Serve; humble yourself and be exalted.

Pope Francis

• Monday homily:  To be merciful, I need to

• Know myself as a sinner, have shame for my sins, seek forgiveness, and feel God's mercy.
• Enlarge my heart:  say, ‘Who am I to judge, who have done the same or worse?’  Have a wide heart that forgives and forgets, because God has; an egotistical heart can't show mercy.  

Mercy brings peace in our hearts and the world.

Reflections

• Creighton:   The readings talk about, and to, us; human nature hasn’t changed.  Like the Pharisees, we can lay burdens.  Help lift them.  We're brothers and sisters; feel compassion even when people's bad choices bring their plight.  Enter into others' wounds and feel them.

• One Bread One Body:  The Lord promises to forgive sins.  Guilt is a God-given reaction to sin, warning us something's wrong.  When we deal with it by repenting and seeking Jesus' forgiveness, we receive love, mercy, and freedom. 

• Passionist:  Recognition and status are short-lived; prefer the light of witness, compassion, and sacrifice.  People need example more than words.

• Universalis:  St. Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop and doctor; read his Catechetical Lectures online.  St. Edward the Martyr, King

• Sacred Space

Music

• Psalm 50: To the upright I will show the saving power of God/ Celoni (psalm but not all its verses)

Apparel

• Blue shirt:  wash yourselves clean! (1st reading)

• "Scales of justice" pin:  make justice your aim (1st reading)

• White tie pin:  your sins may become white (1st reading)

• Purple tie:  Lenten season

• "Hearts" suspenders:  enlarge/widen your heart (homily)

Dress your life!

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