From Fat Tuesday to a much thinner one, apart from physical changes has the seedlings of our faith journey started to sprout? Has change begun in us? Are we drawing closer to our Lord, through our Lenten observances?
Most when asked to list the seven top priorities for their life, will list the Lord our God first, followed by six most pressing priorities and often family will rank second. This is usually when asked by a fellow Christian. It may change if asked by anyone else; for some, even God is omitted. And they will rationalise by saying, He is first always in my heart; everyone else does not need to know.
Unfortunately, many while their mouth is sweet to say God is first. The actual truth is that even as they utter the Our Father, it is lived in reverse. Work, games and so on comes first! Give me my daily bread first! I will forgive when I am ready. Guard me against all evil! Do not put obstacles in my, clear them! I will forgive when I am ready. Then I will surely bring my family to Church on Sundays. The life transforming Word of the Lord our God is absent from their lives. Lent is just another season that will pass and fade quickly.
Truth’s shining light guides me in my choices and decisions; the revelation of your Word makes my pathway clear Lord. Amen
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First reading
Isaiah 55:10-11 ·
The word that goes out from my mouth does not return to me empty
Thus says the Lord: ‘As the rain and the snow come down from the heavens and do not return without watering the earth, making it yield and giving growth to provide seed for the sower and bread for the eating, so the word that goes from my mouth does not return to me empty, without carrying out my will and succeeding in what it was sent to do.’
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Gospel
Matthew 6:7-15
How to pray
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘In your prayers do not babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him. So you should pray like this:
‘Our Father in heaven,
may your name be held holy,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us.
And do not put us to the test,
but save us from the evil one.
‘Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.’
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