Reflections on the Daily Readings 28th February 2022
Monday 28th February
Build it up
Ever wonder what the kingdom of God will be like? Well, look around, because you’re already living in it. Not seeing all the love, peace, and justice you were promised? The kingdom of God began with Christ’s death and Resurrection and will be brought into perfection by Christ at the end of time. Until then, it’s our job as Christians to build the Kingdom up. Pray, discern what God is calling you to do, and act to make this world more harmonious and respectful of the dignity of others. And then of course, wait with hope.
Today's readings: 1 Peter 1:3-9; Mark 10:17-27
“For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”
Tuesday 1st March
Your Rx for Lent
While many Christians focus on feasting today—ahead of tomorrow’s fasting—it’s also a good time to survey a smorgasbord of penitential spiritual practices, perfect for the upcoming Lenten season. Saint John Chrysostom identifies five in one of his homilies: “I have shown you five paths of repentance: acknowledgement of your own sins, forgiveness of our neighbor’s sins against us, prayer, almsgiving, and humility.” Sounding more like a doctor than one of the doctors of the church, he concludes: “Now that we have learned how to heal our wounds, let us apply the cures.” How will you fill your prescription?
Today's readings: 1 Peter 1:10-16; Mark 10:28-31
“Do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance.”
Wednesday 2nd March
ASH WEDNESDAY; DAY OF FAST AND ABSTINENCE
Add another step to your Lenten journey
Ash Wednesday is full of rituals and traditions of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. But it includes an extra step. As Pope Francis puts it, it is a time “to find concrete ways to overcome our indifference.” So in addition to your regular Lenten practices, try to care more deeply about the suffering and disaffected in your community. Volunteer at your parish, a local charity, or for a social cause. Or simply go for a walk and reflect on how Jesus is present in those you encounter along the way.
Today's readings: Joel 2:12-18; 2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2; Matthew 6:1- 6, 16-18
“And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”
Thursday 3rd March
Thursday After Ash Wednesday; Memorial Of Katharine Drexel, Religious Founder
Exceed expectations
Katharine Drexel was a wealthy heiress in late 19th-century Philadelphia. She rocked that world one day: "Miss Drexel Enters a Catholic Convent—Gives Up Seven Million,” the Philadelphia Public Ledger announced when she decided not to simply become a nun but to found her own religious order. Head of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, she used her family fortune to found the nation’s only Catholic university for African Americans (Xavier University in New Orleans), schools for Native Americans, and more. Are you, too, being called by God to do something unexpected?
Today's readings: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Luke 9:22-25
“What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?”
Friday 4th March
Friday After Ash Wednesday;
A Cleansing Fast
A couple years ago, two young white women decided that they needed to more closely align their spiritual practices of Lent with their commitment to being anti-racist. They chose, as they wrote in Sojourners magazine, to try fasting from media that lacked a diversity of voices and to spend Lent engaged with books, films, and podcasts written or directed by women of color. Their goal was to take a step toward repentance, which is one of the hallmarks of Lent. To repent is to turn away from sin, including the sin of racism. What Lenten practice of prayer, fasting, or almsgiving might you contribute toward being more intercultural and helping end racism?
Today's readings: Isaiah 58:1-9a; Matthew 9:14-15
“This, rather, is the fasting that I wish.”
Saturday 5th March
Saturday After Ash Wednesday
Tax Forgiveness
Tax collectors in Jesus’ time were particularly despised. The Roman occupiers auctioned off the right to collect taxes to the highest bidders, who then aggressively collected taxes from their neighbors in order to turn a profit on their “investment.” When Jesus calls Levi the tax collector to follow him and attends a celebration with Levi’s tax-collecting cohorts, the shock among the Jewish leaders is evident. But Levi became Matthew, the evangelist, and wrote a vivid account of the Good News. Jesus sees beyond the worst in us and brings out the best. Follow his lead.
Today's readings: Isaiah 58:9b-14; Luke 5:27-32
“Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, ‘Follow me.’”
