After Ash Wednesday
23rd February 2023 (Thursday) Readings and Reflection
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Reading of the Day
First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Moses spoke to the people, saying, "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6 (R. 40:5ab)
R/. Blessed the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.
Gospel : Luke 9:22-25
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised." And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: Destined for life!
Indicative: In life, often many make wrong choices and decisions. This clearly shows that mere intelligence and knowledge are not enough. Something more is needed{alertSuccess}
1. We can condense the whole thrust and direction of the word of God into two themes: Life and wisdom. Life is our ultimate end and goal. We are destined for life and life in eternity. God wants us to live fully and joyfully here and now and later eternally.
2. We can live so only when we have wisdom. First of all, wisdom is a precious gift of God. It is a fundamental choice for God that leads to all other choices. It is not only an intellectual assent but clarity, conviction, and commitment
3. A wise person is illumined and solidified by God to see clearly, to be convinced strongly, and to be committed fully. Accordingly, a wise person chooses life in preference to death, prosperity in preference to doom, the true God in preference to the false gods, the blessing in preference to curse, and the world in preference to the soul
4. This leads him to a particular way of living and acting. He would love the Lord, walk in his ways, and obey and keep His commandments, statutes, and decrees. He would not turn away his heart and be led astray and adore and serve other gods. He would prefer to lose the world and the earthly gains for the sake of the Lord and the spiritual benefits
5. The most authentic effect and evidence of wisdom and a wise life is becoming a disciple of the Lord. A wise person who is intent on eternal life will surely become a disciple. He would fulfill the three essential conditions for discipleship, namely self-denial, cross-bearing, and loyalty to follow
6. A disciple in wisdom gives up his false self instead of propping up self-interests and blown-up ego. He would cultivate a spirit of detachment and retrenchment. He would bear his various crosses in patience and surrender. He would ceaselessly commit himself to emulate the Lord in virtue and life
Imperative: Let our constant prayer be not only for this or that particular favour or benefit but primarily for the gift of wisdom to love the Lord and be committed to him{alertSuccess}