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I inquired what iniquity was, and found it to be no substance, but the perversion of the will, turned aside from Thee, O God, the Supreme, towards these lower things.
- St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430), Confessions
(Turning from "the lower" to "the Highest." How are you being called to do so this day?) |
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LV 19:1-2, 11-18; PS 19:8-10, 15; MT 25:31-46
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.
The precepts of the LORD
are right, rejoicing the heart. The command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye.
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; The ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just.
Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favor before you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture |
"I assure you, as often as you did it for one of My least brothers, you did it for Me." –Matthew 25:40
The Lord says that you shall not "stand by idly when your neighbor's life is at stake" (Lv 19:16). The Lord says: "I assure you, as often as you did or did not provide for the needs of the least of your brothers and sisters, you did or did not do it for Me" (see Mt 25:40, 45). The Lord expects us to recognize the Lazaruses at our doors (Lk 16:19ff) and "love in deed and in truth and not merely talk about it" (1 Jn 3:18). We are to see
Jesus in the poor, love and serve the poor, and even be in solidarity with the poor.
This means that we must listen to the teachings of the Church. Pope John Paul II taught that we should "carry out a sincere review of [our] lives regarding [our] solidarity with the poor" (Mission of the Redeemer, 60). We must
imitate Jesus and have a preferential love for the poor (Catechism, 2448). St. John Chrysostom insisted: "Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs." St. Gregory the Great taught: "When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs, not ours. More than performing works of mercy, we are paying a debt of justice" (Catechism, 2446).
The Church through the centuries echoes: "Love the poor in Jesus; love Jesus in the poor."
PRAYER: Father, this Lent may I give alms to the extent that my lifestyle
changes significantly.
PROMISE: "Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord." –Lv 19:18 mycatholic.com
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NOTES ON THE LIFE OF CHRISTIAN PRAYER 2704. Because it is external and so thoroughly human, vocal prayer is
the form of prayer most readily accessible to groups. Even interior prayer, however, cannot neglect vocal prayer. Prayer is internalized to the extent that we become aware of him "to whom we speak." Thus vocal prayer becomes an initial form of contemplative prayer. - The Catechism of the Catholic
Church, IV, 3, 1)
- part 8 of 24 The Catechism of the Catholic Church, IV
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