6 Mar
Thu
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
(Psalter Week IV)
Dt. 30:15-20
Ps. 1:1-4,6
Lk. 9:22-25
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Making choices in life, for life needs that awareness of the ultimate rewards available. Moses, in his last discourse to the Israelites, spelt out clearly the rewards promised by God: "you will live and increase and the Lord your God will bless you," (Deut: 30:16.), and later, "you will live in the love of your God," (Deut. 30:20). In Luke's Gospel, Jesus offers a choice too, having brought into the picture the eventuality of His Passion and Suffering. After Peter's affirmation of Jesus as 'The Christ of God' (9:21), it would appear superficially as if any follower of "the Christ of God" would willy-nilly inherit God's blessing and favours. Not so. Jesus tells His listeners, as with Moses' remarks, that here too there are conditions of choice. The cross of Jesus to be undertaken daily, the sacrifice of life, fame and power on earth - these are the choices His followers have to make actively and repeatedly each day. These will earn eternal salvation in the glory of the Father. As the Psalm says, "Happy the man who delights in the Law of the Lord." (Psalm 1:2).



Lord, the choice is ours: a blessing or a curse? Help us to remember, when choosing: "The Lord guards the way of the just but the way of the wicked leads to doom." (Ps.2:4). Amen.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That each one of the people of God and their pastors, may grow in their realization of the importance of the sacrament of reconciliation, the gift of God's merciful love.
Elaboration

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