FRIDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT
Renewal
The Word: "Take away all iniquity: receive graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips. Assyria shall not save us, we will not ride on horses, nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, ‘you are our gods.’ For in you the fatherless finds mercy.” (Hosea 14:2-3).
Mystery of the day: Sorrowful
Table of the Word: I R.: Hosea 14:1-9
Resp. Psalm: Psalm 81:6c-8a.8bc-9.10-11ab.14and 17 (R. see 11a.9b)
Verse before the Gospel: Matthew 4:17
Gospel: Mark 12:28-34
Inspiration: Every spiritual renewal goes with renouncing of the former ways, stripping-off of the old-self and putting-on of the new-self. It can as well be seen in the light of rebirth where one enters into a new covenant. In our reflection today, we have seen a call from God for total renewal from Israelites through Prophet Hosea who says: "Take away all iniquity: receive graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips. Assyria shall not save us, we will not ride on horses, nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, ‘you are our gods.’ For in you the fatherless finds mercy.” (Hos. 14:2-3). This clarion call is to bring to our consciousness the need to be spiritually renewed by deserting former ways and seek for the way of the Lord as Israel renounced theirs today (cf. Hos. 14:1-9). In another place, St. Paul exhorts us thus: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” (Rom. 12:2). This admonition has to do with an act of renouncing our former ways and take up a new path in Jesus.
To buttress this, the Psalmist prays: “Send out your breath and life… and you renew the face of the earth.” (Ps. 104:30) This should be our daily prayer, as we continue our Lenten walk. We ought to be conscious of our thoughts, words and actions; and once in a while pause to reflect on how is our ways pleasing to our God.
Obviously, spiritual renewal denotes the transformation of the Spirit of God to have a total control of man so as to enable us live up to God’s expectation. As we are up and doing in the physical realm, there is need to be spiritually active so as not to allow evil to triumph over good in our lives. Sometimes we find ourselves being obsessed with created things and suddenly forgot the Creator Himself, instead of us seeing God in every creature, we end up seeing creatures as gods. The same scenario that Israelites became victims (cf. Hos. 14:1-9). When realized this mistake, they publicly renounced and then acknowledged God as the Creator of every creature in creation.
Finally, let us make effort to love God with all our heart beyond every creatures in creation. Peace be with you!
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
“I can hardly wait for tomorrow, it means a new life for me each and every day.”
- Stanley Kunitz
Let us pray
Look graciously, O Lord, upon us who implore your mercy, that trusting in your kindness, we may spread far and wide the gifts your charity has bestowed. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
© The ARCHIVE 08032024
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