SATURDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY
Mystery of the day: Joyful
Lenten Exercises: Say the mystery of the day and carryout any work of charity.
Theme: And the Lord will guide you...
Thus says the LORD: "If you take away from the midst of you the yoke, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your desire with good things, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. (Is.58: 9ff.)
Today's prophecy by Isaiah goes with a caveat, which must be fulfilled if we wish to manifest in concrete terms the symbolism of the ashes we put on our foreheads few days ago.
It is a call to upright life, sincerity and a true witness of the gospel. It has service of others at the centre of the exhortation. This service demands sacrifice, leaving out comfort zone to a desert for others to perceive some freshness; if truly we want our desires to be satisfied by God.
As God had promised, if we hearken to these admonitions and take them to heart, we will be restored, with our light illuminating the dark, and our desires granted with good things.
As we journey with the Holy Mother Church in the Spirit of this Solemn penitential season carrying the tripartite arms of prayer, fasting and almsgiving; Let us express our words of prayer having others in mind, fast from what will destroy others and be ready to extinguish within us the desire to live alone in comfort.
Peace be with you!
Let us pray
Almighty ever-living God, look with compassion on our weakness and ensure us your protection by stretching forth the right hand of your majesty. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
© The ARCHIVE 05032022
Amen 🙏, remain blessed fr.
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