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- Feb 28
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 15
March 03 - March 08, 2025
Ecclesiasticus 17:20-28 Today’s reading is a very warm invitation to conversion of heart and repentance. The simple expression “return” means more than simply coming back. It implies a new trust in God and, in consequence, a new way of living. We are not far from Jesus’ proclamation of conversion or metanoia.
Mark 10:17-27 Here we have an attractive and yet unsettling story. The man is the story is obviously good and a little naive. He doesn’t seem to know himself. Jesus’ penetrating glance of love sees great potential in him. Suddenly, it is too much and the man slinks away. We too can fool ourselves. We too need the penetrating glance of love which lays bare the cost of discipleship.
St Casimir
Ecclesiasticus 35:2-15 Sirach was a great support of the Temple. Accordingly, he encourages true worship, which is to be generous, happy and from the heart. there are lessons for today!
Mark 10:28-31 After the story of the rich man, the question of Peter is simply and natural. The reply of Jesus, on the other hand, is many-layered, full of promise and challenge.
Joel 2:12-18 The passage which opens the journey of Lent is an invitation, an invitation to come back to the Lord with all our heart. The whole community—all of us without distinction—is called to change of heart and life.
2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2 Paul’s message insists on today, now, as the moment of conversion. The past is over and the future is not yet. All we have is the present moment: let us take hold of it with all our energy.
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 As Matthew makes clear, it is the movement of the heart that counts! There was a traditional triad in Judaism: almsgiving, prayer and fasting—all really good and necessary. That inherent good can be compromised by the desire for notice and approval. It is enough and more than enough that the Father who sees in secret sees our good deed done in secret.
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Life is full of choices, minor and major. Today, we hear a major choice: life and prosperity or death and disaster. Such sharp alternatives are found also in the wisdom writings of the people, such as today’s Psalm 1. We know, of course, that things are often not quite so stark and clear. But even in the minor choices, we are implying greater choices and even a fundamental direction of life.
Luke 9:22-25 As usual, a prediction of the passion is joined to a teaching on discipleship. In this Gospel, the death of Jesus casts a long shadow, starting with the words of Simeon to Mary. The immediate context is the question to Peter: who do you say I am?
Isaiah 58:1-9 What is true fasting? What does God require of us? Isaiah does not mince his words. Sure fasting means to live your ordinary life with integrity and justice.
Matthew 9:14-15 It looks as if Jesus did not practice fasting (apart from the forty, symbolic days). Naturally, people wondered why not. In the later tradition, disciples did take up fasting and in our Gospel Jesus gives “permission” for that to happen.
Isaiah 58:9-14 Continuing from yesterday, we are reminded that righteousness—right living from the inside out—is what God hopes for from us. If you listen carefully, this prophecy is strongly against violence of any kind.
Luke 5:27-32 Eating was always regarded as a kind of sacred fellowship, a kind of holy communion. Hence the shock of onlookers who saw Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinner, in effect, establishing communion with them.
References
-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025r, March 2). Eighth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030225.cfm
-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings
