LEARN TO DO GOOD

TUESDAY SECOND WEEK OF LENT: LEARN TO DO GOOD

PRAYER BEFORE HOLY MASS  Act of Love before Mass 

O my God, I love Thee with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my strength and with no other desire than to be inseparably united to Thee. 

It is through Thy Divine Son that this union is about to be realized within me. In Holy Communion I long to identify myself with Him, that it will no longer be myself, but Him, who lives in me; and when I have received Jesus within myself, then I shall love and be loved by Thee in that same measure, in which I am united to Him. 

Hasten then, to give me Thy Divine Son, at the hands of Thy priest, that through Jesus, I may unite myself forever to Thee, O God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit.

First Reading Isaiah 1:10,16-20 Cease to do evil; learn to do good Readings

Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the command of our God,you people of Gomorrah.

‘Wash, make yourselves clean. Take your wrong-doing out of my sight. Cease to do evil. Learn to do good, search for justice, help the oppressed, be just to the orphan, plead for the widow.

‘Come now, let us talk this over, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

‘If you are willing to obey, you shall eat the good things of the earth. But if you persist in rebellion, the sword shall eat you instead.’

Responsorial Psalm: I will show God's salvation to the upright

Gospel Matthew 23:1-12 They do not practise what they preach Lectures

Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. 

They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi. 

‘You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.’   Reflections

My God, my Father wash me, make me clean. Make me holy remove from me wrong-doing. Create in me a pure heart.  Teach me to do good. May I promote justice, defend the helpless and oppressed. Help me Father to  be just to the orphan,  and plead for the widow in  my society.

Father you are good and merciful I come before you forgive  me my sins, make me clean. I am willing to obey may I return to you, and may I not persist in being rebellious.  Make me upright. Guide and direct my actions, may they give glory to your name as they refelct my true character. Loving Father  I am your child, created in your image and likeness. Bless our Pope, Cardnals, Bishops, Priests and Religious. Guide and protect them.

Lord Jesus Christ thank you for loving me. Jesus I trust in you. Virgin Mary pray for me. Saint Joseph pray for me. My Angel Guardian pray for me. Guide and protect me. God's Holy Angels pray for me.

Pray the Holy Rosary. Our Lady Queen of Peace pray for us. Bring us to your Son Jesus Christ Prince of Peace.

Your Birthday Saint: St. Louise de Merillac, Foundress. May she pray for you as you celebrate your birthday.