The Sign of Jonah

1 Wednesday Lent 2011

The Sign of Jonah.

In today’s Gospel, Luke 11:29-32, Jesus says: As Jonah became a sign to the men of Nin'eveh, so will the Son of man be to this generation. We are the men of Nin’eveh and Jesus is our Jonah. Jesus came to set us free from Pslavery to sin and hurtful desires.

Through the gift of the Holy Spirit he pours his love into our hearts that we may understand his will for our lives and walk in his way of holiness. God searches our hearts, not to condemn us, but to show us where we need his saving grace and help. God will transform us if we listen to his word and allow his Holy Spirit to work in our lives. May the Lord renew our minds and increase our thirst for his wisdom.

Rich man and Lazarus

2 Thursday Lent, (March 24, 2011):

"Lazarus was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom".

Gospel Reading: Luke 16:19-31.

The name Lazarus means ‘God is my help’. Despite a life of misfortune and suffering, Lazarus did not lose hope in God. His eyes were set on a treasure stored up for him in heaven.

The rich man, however, could not see beyond his material wealth and possessions. He not only had everything he needed, he selfishly spent all he had on himself. He was too absorbed in what he possessed to notice the needs of those around him. He lost sight of God and the treasure of heaven because he was preoccupied with seeking happiness in material things. He served wealth rather than God.

Sometimes we serve our work rather than the God within. In the end the rich man became a beggar! Do we know the joy and freedom of possessing God, the God within, as our true and lasting treasure? Those who put their hope and security in heaven and the God within will not be disappointed (see Hebrews 6:19)?

Lk 5:27-32 “Leave all and follow me." Lent 1st Sat.M

Fri, 11 March, 2011 16:36:57

[Dom Donald's Blog] Lk 5:27-32 “leave all and follow the Lord”

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From:	Fr Donald ... View Contact
To:	nivardmcglynn@yahoo.com

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1st Saturday Lent 2011

The call of Matthew

In today’s Gospel, Luke 5:27-32, Jesus says: “I have come to call sinners”. Matthew we overjoyed to be one of the first to answer the call. He at once gave a party to celebrate the occasion.

As sinners, like, Matthew, we can make our own the prayer of St Augustine: "Lord Jesus, our Saviour, let us now come to you. Our hearts are cold; Lord, warm them with your selfless love. Our hearts are sinful; cleanse them with your precious blood. Our hearts are weak; strengthen them with your joyous Spirit. Our hearts are empty; fill them with your divine presence. Lord Jesus, our hearts are yours, possess them always and only for yourself." (Prayer of Augustine, 354-430).

What does it mean to “leave all and follow the Lord”? Bede the Venerable, a 7th century church father comments on Matthew’s conversion to discipleship: “By ‘follow’ he meant not so much the movement of feet as of the heart, the carrying out of a way of life. For one who says that he lives in Christ ought himself to walk just as he walked, not to aim at earthly things, not to pursue perishable gains, but to flee base praise, to embrace willingly the contempt of all that is worldly for the sake of heavenly glory, to do good to all, to inflict injuries upon no one in bitterness, to suffer patiently those injuries that come to oneself, to ask God’s forgiveness for those who oppress, never to seek one’s own glory but always God’s, and to uphold whatever helps one love heavenly things. This is what is meant by following Christ. In this way, disregarding earthly gains, Matthew attached himself to the band of followers of One who had no riches. For the Lord himself, who outwardly called Matthew by a word, inwardly bestowed upon him the gift of an invisible impulse so that he was able to follow.” Are you ready to forsake all for Christ?

"Lord Jesus, our Saviour, let us now come to you: Our hearts are cold; Lord, warm them with your selfless love. Our hearts are sinful; cleanse them with your precious blood. Our hearts are weak; strengthen them with your joyous Spirit. Our hearts are empty; fill them with your divine presence. Lord Jesus, our hearts are yours; possess them always and only for yourself." (Prayer of Augustine, 354-430)

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Posted By Fr Donald to Dom Donald's Blog on 3/11/2011 04:36:00 PM