Tag: debt

Thursday of the Third Week of Lent

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Jesus said to the crowds: “But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

In today’s Gospel, as Jesus drives out a demon from a mute man, some of the people in the crowds say of him: “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Others in the crowd ask Jesus for a sign. He knows their thoughts and says to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?” Similarly, in the first reading the LORD speaks to the Israelites through the prophet Jeremiah: “From the day that your fathers left the land of Egypt even to this day, I have sent you untiringly all my servants the prophets. Yet they have not obeyed me nor paid heed.” The strong man Jesus refers to is Satan in all his forms—sin that takes possession of the person. Jesus is the stronger one, who attacks and overcomes Satan. His invitation to gather with him is a call to let go of what possesses us and follow him in obedience.

God, help me understand what takes place in my soul when you overthrow sin and I am able to return to you. From the Gospel acclamation: “Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, for I am gracious and merciful.” When I confess my sins in the sacrament of reconciliation and receive absolution, you take away the armor on which I relied and restore my wholehearted devotion to you; you remove the old armor and put on me the armor of light; you take away my stony heart and give me a natural heart; you distribute the spoils—every good gift you have given me—that I can be a light to others. Just as you sent prophets to the Israelites, you send me your Son so that I can hear your voice and receive your mercy.

Lord, remain with me today. Let me call to mind throughout the day what you announced through Jeremiah: “Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Readings

Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”

These words of Jesus refer to the law that the LORD commanded Moses to teach to the people of Israel. In the first reading, Moses said to the people: “Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.” Jesus came not to take the law away that the LORD had given Israel but to fulfill it. Just as the LORD told Moses to obey so that the Israelites may live, Jesus also came to give life—abundant life—so that we may enter the Kingdom of heaven. From the Gospel acclamation, we pray: “Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life.” In the natural order, life diminishes; each day is one less day on earth. But so that we may have life, as Jesus says in the Gospel according to John: “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Thank you, God, for the gift of your only Son. In his fulfillment, there is nothing in the law or the prophets to be forgotten or discarded. As Moses said to the Israelites, I can say of the fullness of my faith: “However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children’s children.” Give me the grace, Lord, to be obedient to the teachings of Christ and his bride, the Church.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Readings

Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”

In response to Peter’s question about forgiveness, Jesus tells the parable about a king and a great debt a servant owed him. Since he had no way of paying it back, the master of that servant ordered that his wife, children, and property be sold to pay for the debt. But the servant begged the master and said, “Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.” The master pitied him and forgave him all of his debt. When that servant encountered a fellow servant who owed him, he demanded that the other servant pay him what he owed. Falling to his knees, the fellow servant begged for mercy, saying, “Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.” But he denied him the request and had him put in jail. When word got back to the master, he summoned his servant and handed him over to torturers until he could pay back his debt. Jesus then says, “So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.” The shocking mention of torture is enveloped by the greater message of forgiveness and the consequence of failing to forgive. The same formula applies here as it does in the Our Father: “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

God, help me relate this back to the first part of today’s Gospel. Peter asked Jesus how many times he must forgive someone who sins against him, and Jesus replies, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants.” In your kingdom, Lord, there is mercy and forgiveness. What is alien to your kingdom is fallen human nature. That is why Jesus tells Peter to forgive constantly; in that kind of forgiveness is a reaching out for you, an attempt to be perfect just as you are perfect. The alternative is to suffer in self-torture through a failure to forgive. Help me forgive, Lord, any hurt I hold on to that keeps me from you.

Thank you, Lord, for your presence today. From the first reading, help me recall throughout the day: “And now we follow you with our whole heart, we fear you and we pray to you. Do not let us be put to shame, but deal with us in your kindness and great mercy.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Readings