The Catholic Calendar for Friday, February 18, 2004
Friday of the First Week of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Ezekiel 18:21-28
Psalm 130:1-8
Matthew 5:20-26

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Leave your gift there at the Altar. . ."

This is one of the most instructive passages in the whole of scripture about how to put God first. Too often we spend our time thinking about those who have trespassed against us. We ponder our hurts, and even those things we have done to hurt others. These things must be reconciled. To the first group we must be willing to forgive, to the second group of concerns we must be willing to seek forgiveness.

The Church has given us divine means for seeking reconciliation with one another--the Sacrament of Penance or Confession. In this wonderful sacrament, we are reconciled with the Body of Christ and with God. That is, the sacrament repairs the breach we have caused through our own most grievous faults.

Frequent recourse to the sacrament is recommended by the Holy Father and by all of the great saints who have taught since its usage became common. In confession, we are transformed, we are reconciled, and we are worthy once again to approach the altar.

Lent is the season of repentance, of seeking within, of "spring cleaning." Let the cleaning also include our very souls. If you have not taken advantage of the Church's rich offering, by all means, hurry to do so. If you have, praise God and thank Him for His bountiful provision, which always calls us closer to Him.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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posted by joachim at 4:24 AM