Feb
17
2018
0
By Anonymous (not verified)
We're sharing the first week of the Marian Fathers' new Lenten booklet, Footsteps to Mercy. - UPDATE: This book has sold out! Please sign up for our monthly eNewsletter so you can find out when we have more books like this.
"Follow me."
In today's Gospel, we hear the call of St. Matthew. Our Holy Father
took his papal motto, Miserando atque eligendo, from this very account.
"Jesus, therefore, sees the tax collector, has mercy, and says to him, 'follow me'" (Lk 5:32).
On the Feast of St. Matthew in 2017, Pope Francis said in his homily, "It is the struggle between mercy and sin ... Jesus' love was able to enter into the heart of that man, Matthew, because he knew he was a sinner."
Do you allow yourself to be humbled by your sinfulness and let Jesus look upon you and forgive you? Do you hide from Jesus, expecting Him to be angry and vengeful? Or do you respond to the grace of the Holy Spirit, humble yourself, and allow yourself to be embraced by the Father?
Awareness of one's sins is itself a grace of the Holy Spirit. When you are made aware of your sins, rejoice! Take comfort in knowing that "there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance" (Lk 15:7).
Today's Readings:
Scripture:
Is 58:9B-14;
Ps 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6;
Lk 5:27-32
Read Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, 1485
"Conversation of the Merciful God with a Sinful Soul"
See the first week of meditations to date.
"Follow me."
In today's Gospel, we hear the call of St. Matthew. Our Holy Father
took his papal motto, Miserando atque eligendo, from this very account.
"Jesus, therefore, sees the tax collector, has mercy, and says to him, 'follow me'" (Lk 5:32).
On the Feast of St. Matthew in 2017, Pope Francis said in his homily, "It is the struggle between mercy and sin ... Jesus' love was able to enter into the heart of that man, Matthew, because he knew he was a sinner."
Do you allow yourself to be humbled by your sinfulness and let Jesus look upon you and forgive you? Do you hide from Jesus, expecting Him to be angry and vengeful? Or do you respond to the grace of the Holy Spirit, humble yourself, and allow yourself to be embraced by the Father?
Awareness of one's sins is itself a grace of the Holy Spirit. When you are made aware of your sins, rejoice! Take comfort in knowing that "there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance" (Lk 15:7).
Today's Readings:
Scripture:
Is 58:9B-14;
Ps 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6;
Lk 5:27-32
Read Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, 1485
"Conversation of the Merciful God with a Sinful Soul"
See the first week of meditations to date.
LENT
