1st Week of Lent
28th February 2023 (Tuesday) Readings and Reflection
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Reading of the Day
First Reading: Isaiah 55:10-11
Thus says the Lord: "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Psalm 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19, (R. see 18b)
R/. The Lord rescues them in all their distress.
Gospel : Matthew 6:7-15
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, "When you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: Pray and do!
Indicative: It is not enough that we pray. Praying is not just a matter of reciting prayers but surrendering to God’s will and doing it{alertSuccess}
1. The main focus today is on prayer. Our prayer ought to be qualitative. However, quality does not mean the quality of words, the length, or the eloquence of it. The quality of prayer is determined by how much it is productive and transformative
2. In the light of the first reading from Isaiah, true prayer is like rain that nourishes nature and produces fruit. It derives its spirit and strength from constant communication with God both through His holy word and prayer of the heart
3. The gospel presents to us the sublime prayer, “Our Father” as the model for true prayer. This prayer offers us some essential tenets of true prayer. Accordingly, true prayer is always permeated with a deep family sense. As such, it nurtures a filial devotion toward God and a fraternal concern for others
4. True prayer is always intent on doing God’s will and establishing His kingdom. Very particularly, true prayer is imbued with a profound sense of forgiveness. Forgiving others becomes the indispensable pre-requisite for obtaining God’s forgiveness
Imperative: We need to guard against shallow praying that lacks depth and interiority and fails to renew one’s life, especially a life of surrender and forgiveness{alertSuccess}