Saturday of the Third Week of Lent

Commentary of the day
Saint John Climacus (c.575-c.650), monk on Mount Sinai
The Ladder of Divine Ascent, ch.28

"Be merciful to me a sinner"

Let your prayer be entirely simple. One word was enough for the publican and for the prodigal son to obtain God’s forgiveness (cf. Lk 15,21)… No pretentiousness in the words of your prayers; how often it is that the simple and unadorned stammerings of children sway their father! So don’t launch into long discourses lest you weaken your spirit through verbal affectation. A single word from the publican moved the mercy of God; one word full of faith saved the good thief (Lk 23,42). Prolixity in prayer often fills up the spirit with images and dissipates it, whereas a single word often has the effect of recollecting it. Do you feel consolation, gripped by a word of prayer? Remain there, for it is then that our angel prays with us. Don’t be too sure of yourself, even if you have attained to purity; rather, have a great humility and you will then feel a greater confidence. Even if you have scaled the ladder of perfection, pray for forgiveness for your sins; pay heed to Saint Paul’s cry: “I am the foremost among sinners” (1Tim 1,15)… If you are clothed with gentleness and free of anger little else is required to free your soul from its bondage.

So long as we have not attained to true prayer we are like people who teach their children to take their first steps. Try hard to lift up your thought or, rather, to contain it within the words of your prayer. If a childish weakness causes it to fall, raise it up. For our minds are naturally volatile but He who can strengthen all things can also stabilise the mind… Thus the first degree of prayer consists in dispelling the suggestions of the mind with a simple word as soon as they arise. The second is to keep our thought solely on what we are saying and thinking. The third is the soul’s fixation in the Lord.

'It is an extreme punishment that obliges us to remain so long on earth, unless love causes us to live more in Heaven and with God than on earth and with ourselves; just as the rays of the sun continue to shed their light a great way off as long as they are not separated from their focus.'

The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary . . .

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary . . .

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28)

"Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb"
(Lk 1:42).

Luke
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Luke 18
9.	And to some who trusted in themselves as just, and despised others, he spoke also this parable:	Dixit autem et ad quosdam qui in se confidebant tamquam justi, et aspernabantur ceteros, parabolam istam :	ειπεν δε προς τινας τους πεποιθοτας εφ εαυτοις οτι εισιν δικαιοι και εξουθενουντας τους λοιπους την παραβολην ταυτην
10.	Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.	Duo homines ascenderunt in templum ut orarent : unus pharisæus et alter publicanus.	ανθρωποι δυο ανεβησαν εις το ιερον προσευξασθαι ο εις φαρισαιος και ο ετερος τελωνης
11.	The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself: O God, I give thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, as also is this publican.	Pharisæus stans, hæc apud se orabat : Deus, gratias ago tibi, quia non sum sicut ceteri hominum : raptores, injusti, adulteri, velut etiam hic publicanus :	ο φαρισαιος σταθεις προς εαυτον ταυτα προσηυχετο ο θεος ευχαριστω σοι οτι ουκ ειμι ωσπερ οι λοιποι των ανθρωπων αρπαγες αδικοι μοιχοι η και ως ουτος ο τελωνης
12.	I fast twice in a week: I give tithes of all that I possess.	jejuno bis in sabbato, decimas do omnium quæ possideo.	νηστευω δις του σαββατου αποδεκατω παντα οσα κτωμαι
13.	And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O god, be merciful to me a sinner.	Et publicanus a longe stans, nolebat nec oculos ad cælum levare : sed percutiebat pectus suum, dicens : Deus propitius esto mihi peccatori.	και ο τελωνης μακροθεν εστως ουκ ηθελεν ουδε τους οφθαλμους εις τον ουρανον επαραι αλλ ετυπτεν εις το στηθος αυτου λεγων ο θεος ιλασθητι μοι τω αμαρτωλω
14.	I say to you, this man went down into his house justified rather that the other: because every one that exalteth himself, shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted.	Dico vobis, descendit hic justificatus in domum suam ab illo : quia omnis qui se exaltat, humiliabitur, et qui se humiliat, exaltabitur.	λεγω υμιν κατεβη ουτος δεδικαιωμενος εις τον οικον αυτου η γαρ εκεινος οτι πας ο υψων εαυτον ταπεινωθησεται ο δε ταπεινων εαυτον υψωθησεται

9. And he spoke this parable to certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10. Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a Publican.
11. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank you, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this Publican.
12. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13. And the Publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.

AUG. Since faith is not a gift of the proud but of the humble, our Lord proceeds to add a parable concerning humility and against pride.

THEOPHYL. Pride also beyond all other passions disturbs the mind of man. And hence the very frequent warnings against it. It is moreover a contempt of God; for when a man ascribes the good he does to himself and not to God, what else is this but to deny God? For the sake then of those that so trust in themselves, that they will not ascribe the whole to God, and therefore despise others, He puts forth a parable, to show that righteousness, although it may bring man up to God, yet if he is clothed with pride, casts him down to hell.

GREEK EX. To be diligent in prayer was the lesson taught by our Lord in the parable of the widow and the judge, He now instructs us how we should direct our prayers to Him, in order that our prayers may not be fruitless. The Pharisee was condemned because he prayed heedlessly. As it follows, The Pharisee stood and prayed with himself.

THEOPHYL. It is said "standing," to denote his haughty temper. For his very posture betokens his extreme pride.

BASIL; "He prayed with himself," that is, not with God, his sin of pride sent him back into himself. It follows, God, I thank you.

AUG. His fault was not that he gave God thanks, but that he asked for nothing further. Because you are full and abounds, you have no need to say, Forgive us our debts. What then must be his guilt who impiously fights against grace, when he is condemned who proudly gives thanks? Let those hear who say, "God has made me man, I made myself righteous. O worse and more hateful than the Pharisee, who proudly called himself righteous, yet gave thanks to God that he was so.

THEOPHYL. Observe the order of the Pharisee's prayer. He first speaks of that which he had not, and then of that which he had. As it follows, That I am not as other men are.

AUG. He might at least have said, "as many men;" for what does he mean by "other men," but all besides himself? "I am righteous, he says, the rest are sinners."

GREG. There are different shapes in which the pride of self-confident men presents itself; when they imagine that either the good in them is of themselves; or when believing it is given them from above, that they have received it for their own merits; or at any rate when they boast that they have that which they have not. Or lastly, when despising others they aim at appearing singular in the possession of that which they have. And in this respect the Pharisee awards to himself especially the merit of good works.

AUG. See how he; derives from the Publican near him a fresh occasion for pride. It follows, Or even as this Publican; as if he says, "I stand alone, he is one of the others."

CHRYS. To despise the whole race of man was not enough for him; he must yet attack the Publican. He would have sinned, yet far less if he had spared the Publican, but now in one word he both assails the absent, and inflicts a wound on him who was present. To give thanks is not to heap reproaches on others. When you returns thanks to God, let Him be all in all to you. Turn not your thoughts to men, nor condemn your neighbor.

BASIL; The difference between the proud man and the scorner is in the outward form alone. The one is engaged in reviling others, the other in presumptuously extolling: himself.

CHRYS. He who rails at others does much harm both to himself and others. First, those who hear him are rendered worse, for if sinners they are made glad in finding one as guilty as themselves, if righteous, they are exalted, being led by the sins of others to think more highly of themselves. Secondly, the body of the Church suffers; for those who hear him are not all content to blame the guilty only, but to fasten the reproach also on the Christian religion. Thirdly, the glory of God is evil spoken of for as our well-doing makes the name of God to be glorified, so our sins cause it to be blasphemed. Fourthly, the object of reproach is confounded and becomes more reckless and immovable. Fifthly, the ruler is himself made liable to punishment for uttering things which are not seemly.

THEOPHYL. It becomes us not only to shun evil, but also to do good; and so after having said, I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, he adds something by way of contrast, I fast twice in a week. They called the week the Sabbath, from the last day of rest. The Pharisees fasted upon the second and fifth day. He therefore set fasting against the passion of adultery, for lust is born of luxury; but to the extortioners and usurists he opposed the payment of tithes; as it follows, I give tithes of all I possess; as if he says, So far am I from indulging in extortion or injuring, that I even give up what is my own.

GREG. So it was pride that laid bare to his wily enemies the citadel of his heart, which prayer and fasting had in vain kept closed. Of no use are all the other fortifications, as long as there is one place which the enemy has left defenseless.

AUG. If you look into his words, you will find that he asked nothing of God. He goes up indeed to pray, but instead of asking God, praises himself; and even insults him that asked. The Publican, on the other hand, driven by his stricken conscience afar off, is by his piety brought near.

THEOPHYL. Although reported to have stood, the Publican yet differed from the Pharisee, both in his manner and his words, as well as in his having a contrite heart. For he feared to lift up his eyes to heaven, thinking unworthy of the heavenly vision those which had loved to gaze upon and wander after earthly things. He also smote his breast, striking it as it were because of the evil thoughts, and moreover rousing it as if asleep. And thus he sought only that God would be reconciled to him, as it follows, saying, God, be merciful.

CHRYS. He heard the words, that I am not as the Publican. He was not angry, but pricked to the heart. The one uncovered the wound, the other seeks for its remedy. Let no one then ever put forth so cold an excuse as, I dare not, I am ashamed, I cannot open my mouth. The devils have that kind of fear. The devil would fain close against you every door of access to God.

AUG. Why then marvel you, whether God pardons, since He himself acknowledges it. The Publican stood afar off, yet drew near to God. And the Lord was nigh to him, and heard him, For the Lord is on high, yet has he regard to the lowly. He lifted not so much as his eyes to heaven; that he might be looked upon, he looked not himself. Conscience weighed him down, hope raised him up, he smote his own breast, he exacted judgment upon himself. Therefore did the Lord spare the penitent. You have heard the accusation of the proud, you have heard the humble confession of the accused Hear now the sentence of the Judge; Verily I say to you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other.

CHRYS This parable represents to us two chariots on the race course, each with two charioteers in it. In one of the chariots it places righteousness with pride, in the other sin and humility. You see the chariot of sin outstrip that of righteousness, not by its own strength but by the excellence of humility combined with it, but the other is defeated not by righteousness, but by the weight and swelling of pride. For as humility by its own elasticity rises above the weight of pride, and leaping up reaches to God, so pride by its great weight easily depresses righteousness. Although therefore you are earnest and constant in well doing, yet think you may boast yourself, you are altogether devoid of the fruits of prayer. But you that bears a thousand loads of guilt on your conscience, and only think this thing of yourself that you are the lowest of all men, shall gain much confidence before God. And He then goes on to assign the reason of His sentence. For every one who exalts himself shall be abased, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted. The word humility has various meanings. There is the humility of virtue, as, A humble and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. There is also a humility arising from sorrows, as, He has humbled my life upon the earth. There is a humility derived from sin, and the pride and insatiability of riches. For can any thing be more low and debased than those who grovel in riches and power, and count them great things?

BASIL; In like manner it is possible to be honorably elated when your thoughts indeed are not lowly, but your mind by greatness of soul is lifted up towards virtue. This loftiness of mind is seen in a cheerfulness amidst sorrow; or a kind of noble dauntlessness in trouble i a contempt of earthly things, and a conversation in heaven. And this loftiness of mind seems to differ from that elevation which is engendered of pride, just as the stoutness of a well-regulated body differs from the swelling of the flesh which proceeds from dropsy.

CHRYS. This inflation of pride can cast down even from heaven the man that takes not warning, but humility can raise a man up from the lowest depth of guilt. The one saved the Publican before the Pharisee, and brought the thief into Paradise before the Apostles; the other entered even into the spiritual powers. But if humility though added to sin has made such rapid advances, as to pass by pride united to righteousness, how much swifter will be its course when you add to it righteousness? It will stand by the judgment-seat of God in the midst of the angels with great boldness. Moreover if pride joined to righteousness had power to depress it, to what a hell will it thrust men when added to sin? This I say not that we should neglect righteousness, but that we should avoid pride.

THEOPHYL. But should any one perchance marvel that the Pharisee for uttering a few words in his own praise is condemned, while Job, though he poured forth many, is crowned, I answer, that the Pharisee spoke these at the same time that he groundlessly accused others; but Job was compelled by an urgent necessity to enumerate his own virtues for the glory of God, that men might not fall away from the path of virtue.

BEDE; Typically, the Pharisee is the Jewish people, who boast of their ornaments because of the righteousness of the law, but the Publican is the Gentiles, who being at a distance from God confess their sins. Of whom the one for His pride returned humbled, the other for his contrition was thought worthy to draw near and be exalted.

Catena Aurea Luke 18

A Publican and a Pharisee

Unidentified manuscript illumination

I was searching for attribution of this illumination and instead found an excerpt from the homily of Blessed Gregory of Palamas on this subject:

From St Gregory Palamas (c. 1296-1359), Archbishop of Thessaloniki, 'Homily Two, On the Lord's Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee':
13. [Having discussed the Pharisee's prayer, St Gregory begins,] These are the words of the Pharisee. By contrast, the Publican 'standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast saying, God be merciful to me a sinner' (Luke 18:13). See the extent of his humility, faith, and self-reproach. See the utter abasement of his thoughts and feelings, and, at the same time, contrition of heart mingled with this publican's prayer. When he went up into the Temple to pray for the remission of his sins, he brought with him good advocates before God: unashamed faith, uncondemned self-reproach, contrition of heart that is not despised and humility that exalts. He linked attention to prayer most excellently. It says, 'The publican standing afar off'. Not 'stood', as in the case of the Pharisee, but 'standing', to show that he was standing for a long time continuously praying and asking for mercy. Without any other intention or thought he paid attention only to himself and God, turning over and repeating the supplication of a single thought, the most effective of all prayers.
14. 'And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven' (Luke 18:13). As he stood he bowed down, and his bearing was not only that of a lowly servant, but also of a condemned man. It also proclaims a soul delivered from sin. Although still far from God, without the boldness towards Him that comes from good works, it hopes to draw near to him because it has already renounced evil and is intent on good. 'Standing afar off the publican would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven', showing his self-condemnation and self-reproach by his manner and appearance. He saw himself as unworthy either of heaven or of the earthly Temple, so he stood on the threshold of the Temple, not daring even to turn his gaze towards heaven, still less towards the God of heaven. In his intense contrition he smote upon his breast to show he was worthy of punishment. He sighed in deepest mourning, bowing his head like a condemned man, calling himself a sinner and begging with faith for forgiveness, saying, 'God be merciful to me a sinner'. For he believed Him Who said, 'Turn ye unto me, and I will turn unto you' (Zech. 1:3), and the Prophet who bore witness, 'I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord, and thou forgavest the iniquity of my heart' (cf. Ps. 32:5).

(The Homilies of Saint Gregory Palamas, Vol. 1: Homilies I-XXI, ed. Christopher Veniamin [South Canaan, PA: St Tikhon's Seminary, 2002], pp. 16-17)

(Source)

Not 'stood', as in the case of the Pharisee, but 'standing', to show that he was standing for a long time continuously praying and asking for mercy.

A lesson in Greek from St. Gregory:

σταθεις verb - aorist passive participle - nominative singular masculine histemi his'-tay-mee: to stand (transitively or intransitively)
εστως verb - perfect active participle - nominative singular masculine histemi his'-tay-mee: to stand (transitively or intransitively)

From σταθεις, εστως at biblehub.

Information: St. John Joseph of the Cross

Feast Day: March 5

Born: August 15, 1654, Ischia

Died: March 5, 1739

Canonized: 1839, Rome by Pope Gregory XVI

Patron of: Ischiaa

Holy Spirit Interactive Kids: A Saint a Day

St. John Joseph of the Cross

Feast Day: March 05
Born: 1654 : : Died: 1734

St. John Joseph of the Cross was born at Ischia, Naples in Italy on the feast of the Assumption. He was a young noble, but he dressed like a poor man to be as poor as Jesus had been.

At the age of sixteen, John Joseph entered the Franciscan order so he could live a self-sacrificing life like Jesus. He cheerfully made many sacrifices, slept for just three hours a night and ate very plain food.

John was so well known for holiness that his superiors put him in charge of establishing a new friary before he even became a priest. Later when he was ordained a priest, Father John Joseph became the superior at Santa Lucia's in Naples where he spent most of his long life. He always insisted on doing the hardest work and gladly chose to do the duties that no one else wanted to do.

St. John Joseph had a very loving nature. But he did not try to be the center of attention. Instead of waiting for people to recognize his gifts and reach out to him, he would reach out to others. All the priests and brothers thought of him as a loving father. He greatly loved the Blessed Virgin Mary, and tried to help others love her too.

This good priest loved God so much that even when he was sick, he kept on working. He had the gifts of prophecy (tell the future) and healing, and would swoon into ecstasies (see visions and be unaware of where he was); he was known to levitate (rise from the ground and float in the air) and bilocate (be in two places at the same time).

St. John Joseph died on March 6, 1734, at the age of eighty.

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

What strikes me about this passage is the part " went home justified." I think this fits the Catholic understanding so much better than the alternatives.

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Just meditate on this scripture with respect to the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation. Interesting ...

Amen!

Saturday

March 5, 2016

Confession ~ Thoughts of Bl. Mother Teresa

“I must go to confession with love because I have an opportunity to make my soul clean, to become pure. Confession is Jesus and I, and nobody else. Remember this for life. It is a place where I allow Jesus to take away from me everything that divides, destroys. “

From “Where There is Love, There is God.”

Have you taken the opportunity to experience the grace of the Sacrament of Reconciliation this Lent? If not, now is the time. Let us prepare ourselves for Christ’s glorious Resurrection at Easter by making penance for our sin throughout these 40 days.

Visit Catholics Come Home for more information.

Year of Mercy Calendar for Today: “24 Hours with the Lord. Strive to attend the Sacrament of Reconciliation this weekend.”

http://www.catholicscomehome.org/confession-reflections-of-blessed-mother-teresa/

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Saturday, March 5

Liturgical Color: Violet

In 1998, Bl. Pope John Paul II
discussed the importance of the
Sacrament of Penance,
especially during Lent. He said it
is God’s will that all be saved
and through the Sacrament of
Penance we can gain God’s
forgiveness and the inner peace
it brings.

Catholic Culture

Lent: March 5th

Saturday of the Third Week of Lent

MASS READINGS

March 05, 2016 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

Rejoicing in this annual celebration of our Lenten observance, we pray, O Lord, that, with our hearts set on the Paschal mysteries, we may be gladdened by their full effects. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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Old Calendar: St. John Joseph of the Cross, priest (Hist)

Historically today is the feast of St. John Joesph of the Cross who was born on the Island of Ischia in Southern Italy. At the age of sixteen years he entered the Order of St. Francis at Naples, amongst the Friars of the Alcantarine Reform, being the first Italian to join this reform which had been instituted in Spain by St. Peter of Alcantara. In 1674 he was sent to found a friary at Afila, in Piedmont; and he assisted with his own hands in the building. Much against his will , he was raised to the priesthood. In 1702 he was appointed Vicar Provincial of the Alcantarine Reform in Italy. He was beatified in 1789, and canonized in 1839.

Stational Church

St. John Joseph of the Cross
Saint John Joseph of the Cross was born on the feast of the Assumption in 1654, on the island of Ischia in the kingdom of Naples. From his childhood he was a model of virtue, and in his sixteenth year he entered the Franciscan Order of the Strict Observance, or Reform of Saint Peter of Alcantara, at Naples. Such was the edification he gave in his Order, that within three years after his profession he was sent to found a monastery in Piedmont. He assisted in its construction himself and established there the most perfect silence and monastic fervor.

One day Saint John Joseph was found in the chapel in ecstasy, raised far above the floor. He won the hearts of all his religious, and became a priest out of obedience to his Superiors. He obtained what seemed to be an inspired knowledge of moral theology, in prayer and silence. He assisted at the death of his dear mother who rejoiced and seemed to live again in his presence, and after he had sung the Mass for the repose of her soul, saw her soul ascend to heaven, to pray thereafter their God face to face.

With his superiors’ permission he established another convent and drew up rules for the Community, which the Holy See confirmed. Afterward he became a master of novices vigilant and filled with gentleness, and of a constantly even disposition. Some time later he was made Provincial of the Province of Naples, erected in the beginning of the 18th century by Clement XI. He labored hard to establish in Italy this branch of his Order, which the Sovereign Pontiff had separated from the same branch in Spain. His ministry brought him many sufferings, especially moral sufferings occasioned by numerous calumnies. Nonetheless, the Saint succeeded in his undertakings, striving to inculcate in his subjects the double spirit of contemplation and penance which Saint Peter of Alcantara had bequeathed to the Franciscans of the Strict Observance. He gave them the example of the most sublime virtues, especially of humility and religious discipline. God rewarded his zeal with numerous gifts in the supernatural order, such as those of prophecy and miracles.

Finally, consumed by labors for the glory of God, he was called to his reward. Stricken with apoplexy, he died an octogenarian in his convent at Naples, March 5, 1734. Countless posthumous miracles confirmed the sanctity and glory of the Saint, and he was canonized in 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI.

Excerpted from Lives of the Saints for Every Day of the Year, edited by Rev. Hugo Hoever, S.O. Cist., Ph.D.

The Station is in the church of St. Susanna, virgin and martyr of Rome. The first Christian place of worship was built here in the 4th century. It was probably the titulus of Pope Caius (283-296). Caius was St. Susanna's uncle, and tradition claims that the church stands on the site of her martyrdom.

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Luke 18:9-14

3rd Week of Lent

O God, be merciful to me. (Luke 18:13)

Listen carefully to the way Jesus described these two men as they prayed in the Temple. The Pharisee “prayed to himself,” boasting of his life of sacrifice and discipline. You can just see him patting himself on the back, saying, How good I am! How far superior to that miserable tax collector there behind me! (Luke 18:11-12).

By contrast, Jesus portrays the tax collector as praying out of genuine sorrow for his sin. He wasn’t driven by any sense of self-satisfaction or pride in his accomplishments. On the contrary, he seems to have recognized that nothing he did on his own could ever make things right. Instead, he confessed his need for divine mercy: “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13).

These two characters offer us a concrete illustration of God’s words to the prophet Hosea centuries earlier: “It is love that I desire, not sacrifice” (Hosea 6:6). God wants our love and affection, first and foremost. No amount of sacrifice or good deeds can make us pleasing to him, only a heart that is open to Jesus and the salvation he has won for us on the cross. The things we do are very important to God, but on their own, they can never make us right with him.

Where the Pharisee revealed a boastful self-reliance, the tax collector showed humble repentance and trust in God. If we want to go “home justified” like the tax collector—that is, if we want to know the freedom of a living relationship with God—we have to put aside any stubborn self-reliance and place our faith in Jesus and the atonement he has won for us (Luke 18:14).

This may sound like a tall order—and somewhat theoretical as well. But if you spend time with God in prayer and Scripture reading every day, it will happen. You’ll discover that God wants to do more that just make you an obedient servant. He wants to make you his friend—and to do that by removing the sin that separates you from him. And most important, you’ll find yourself loving him in return.

“Father, thank you for having mercy on me, a sinner. Let my life be useful to you and bring glory to your name.”

Hosea 6:1-6
Psalm 51:3-4,18-21

Marriage = One Man and One Woman Until Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for March 5, 2016:

Make your spouse’s favorite dinner tonight – just to celebrate how much they mean to you.

Regnum Christi

Into the Abyss of Our Unworthiness

U. S. A. | SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

March 5, 2016 -Saturday of the Third Week of Lent

Luke 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. "Two people went up to the Temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ´O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity -- greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.´ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ´O God, be merciful to me a sinner.´ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe in you. I believe that you have created me and redeemed me from sin. I believe that everything that is good in my life comes from you : my existence, my faith, my education, what virtues I have. I come to you today in prayer to place my life before you. I know that you are the source of all goodness in me. So often I wonder if I really know how to pray. I wonder how fruitful my prayer is. In the face of my misery I offer you the one thing I know I can offer: my humility before your majesty.

Petition: Lord, help me to be humble when I approach you in prayer

Parallel Monologues, Not Conversation: The Pharisee went up to the Temple to pray. We can assume that his intention was to talk with God. As he stood there in the Temple, he thought he was praying: he was in the right place, he was facing the right direction, he seemed to be doing the right thing. But his prayer was contorted. In fact it was not prayer at all; it was a self-righteous discourse. If a friend were to ask him the next day if he had said his prayers, he would have said, “Yes.” Is my own prayer sometimes a false prayer like the Pharisee’s? Do I think I am praying, doing all of the right things, but in reality not praying at all and only justifying myself?

The Bare Minimum Does Not Satisfy: The poor Pharisee gets painted as the “bad guy” in this parable. But in reality he is not an outwardly evil person. He does not commit grave sins. He is honest, faithful to his wife, generous in his giving. But his pride blinds him to a much deeper relationship with God. He lives his religion as the bare minimum of not committing grave sins. His prayer is sterile. I must examine myself to make sure I am not doing the same, thinking I am doing all the right things but in reality barely living my faith. God does not ask us simply to avoid evil. He invites us to do good. True generosity is what brings peace and fulfillment to our lives.

Humility: An Essential Element of Prayer: The tax collector is justified not because he has done all of the right things, but because he has the humility to recognize his own sinfulness. Perhaps he even heard what the Pharisee was saying and it moved him all the more to plead for God’s mercy. One of the most important characteristics of our prayer is that it be humble. When we go to pray we must approach God recognizing our sinfulness and weakness and the fact that we have received everything good that we have from him. This is what makes our prayer fruitful. God loves a humble, contrite heart.

Conversation with Christ: Dear Lord, grant me a humble, contrite heart. You know my misery. I offer you the misery of my sinfulness so that you can purify it and do with it as you will. I do not want to live my life merely avoiding the big sins. I want to have a deep and intimate relationship with you founded on substantial humility.

Resolution: I will always make an act of humility at the beginning of my prayer.

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 32, Issue 2

<< Saturday, March 5, 2016 >>

Hosea 6:1-6
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Psalm 51:3-4, 18-21

Luke 18:9-14
Similar Reflections

SICKENING GOD OR PLEASING HIM IN PRAYER

"For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than holocausts." —Hosea 6:6

We can go to church and spend our time thinking of ourselves rather than of God. We can put down other people rather than lift up the Lord (see Lk 18:11). We can say words in our prayer that are quite wonderful — if we only lived as if we believed in them (see Hos 6:1-3). We can so nauseate God (see Rv 3:16) in our prayers that He asks the question: "What can I do with you?" (Hos 6:4)

Because of our sin and rebellion, our prayer can be an abomination to the Lord (Prv 28:9). The Lord may even detest, get tired of, and be burdened by our church services (Is 1:14). The Lord has said: "I hate, I spurn your feasts, I take no pleasure in your solemnities" (Am 5:21). The Lord has had enough of our hypocrisy, so He declares: "When you spread out your hands, I close My eyes to you; though you pray the more, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood! Wash yourselves clean!" (Is 1:15-16)

On the other hand, our prayers can be as sweet-smelling incense to the Lord (see Ps 141:2). We can be a joy and a delight to the Lord (Is 65:18). Our lives, prayers, and church services can be so pleasing to the Lord that He rejoices over us with gladness, renews us in His love, and sings joyfully because of us, "as one sings at festivals" (Zep 3:17, 18).

What is God getting out of hearing your prayers and your church services?

Prayer: Father, teach me to live and pray to please You.

Promise: "Believe Me, this man went home from the temple justified but the other did not." —Lk 18:14

Praise: John thanks God he found the Catholic Church, Confession, and the Eucharist. He takes the call to repentance very seriously as he begins each Lent by going to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

I am reminded of the true story of a woman who went to confession to Padre Pio. Before giving her absolution, said, ‘Try to remember the other sin.’ The woman said, ‘Padre, I think I gave you all the sins I know and I think this is it.’ Padre Pio said, ‘Then, for your penance, go to the cross to say fifteen Ave Marias and fifteen Our Fathers.’ Now the cross was at the top of the mountain. The penance was not the Aves or the Our Fathers, it was the journey to get there, as it was a very bad road... So she did that and said the prayers and went back to Padre Pio for a second confession and Padre Pio asked, ‘Do you remember all your sins?’ She said, ‘Padre Pio, I’ve confessed everything.’ Padre Pio said. ‘No, you still don’t remember all. You’ve got to go to the cross at the top of the mountain again.’

She went for the second time and when she still did not remember he sent her for the third time to the cross on the mountaintop. When she returned for the third time for confession, Padre Pio asked, ‘So, do you remember everything now?’ She replied, ‘No, Padre, I don’t have anything more to confess.’ Then Padre Pio said in a loud voice, ‘What do you mean, you don’t remember anything? Don’t you know he could have been a good priest, a bishop, even a cardinal?’ She started to think and then began to cry, ‘Father,’ she said, ‘I never knew abortion was a sin.’ ‘What do you mean,’ he said, ‘you didn’t know that this was a sin? That’s killing.’ Then she said, Nobody knows about this, only me and my mother. How could you say it would have been a priest or a cardinal?’ Padre Pio simply responded by saying, ‘But it’s a sin, a great sin.’ “

March 5, 2016

Saturday of the Third Week of Lent

Reading 1 Hos 6:1-6

Responsorial Psalm PS 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21ab

Verse Before the Gospel Ps 95:8

Gospel Lk 18:9-14

Saturday of the Third Week of Lent

St. John Joseph of the Cross

Lent: March 5th

Saturday of the Third Week of Lent

MASS READINGS

COLLECT PRAYER

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Activities (4)

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Meditation: Luke 18:9-14

Luke 18:9-14

One Bread, One Body

SICKENING GOD OR PLEASING HIM IN PRAYER