Lenten Message by Pope Francis from Fratelli Tutti, article 14:

Families are the first place where the values of love, fraternity, togetherness, sharing, concern and care for others are lived out and handed on.

This call is a necessity to be connected to family and community. 


TODAY'S WORD

By


Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore

Mathew: 5:23-24 "Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you,  leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift."


TODAY'S REFLECTION

First reading from the book of Ezekiel is a call to mend our ways in order to live or else we may perish.

In the gospel reading Jesus calls for a virtue that goes deeper than the virtue of the scribes and Pharisees. 

In a sense, he is calling for a virtue that is more radical, that is more deeply rooted in God’s word. 

As an example of this deeper virtue, the command not to kill becomes in Jesus’ teaching the call not to be angry and not to engage in name calling; it also becomes the call to work for reconciliation with those who are estranged from us. 

Jesus looks for more than the Jewish law looks for. 

He is always calling us to a deeper virtue than the virtue we presently possess. 

There is a radical quality to the call of Jesus and to his teaching. 

He never allows us to settle and to become comfortable with where we are. 

He disturbs us in the good sense, because he is always calling us beyond where we are. 

In Lent we try to listen to what that call might mean for each of us here and now, trusting that the Lord will give us the grace to respond to his call to a deeper virtue.

Todays both the readings call us to walk the talk, practice faith and live a gospel oriented life.


RESOLUTION

Let's resolve to be the fifth gospel. Doing all for the greater glory of God and also doing his will- pleasing only God.

Have an awesome Friday. Let's earnestly storm the heavens through our prayers to bail out Fr. Stan Swamy and other activists.