Saturday, February 17, 2024
THE SEVEN HOLY FOUNDERS OF THE SERVITE ORDER
Office- Psalter Week 4 and Ordinary for Lent
Mass prop. Preface of Lent IV
Vestment: Violet
Today’s Rosary: The Joyful Mystery
Vespers I of the first Sunday of Lent
Click HERE for the Previous Catholic Daily Reading
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON
Answer us, Lord, for your mercy is kind; in the abundance of your mercies, look upon us.
COLLECT
Almighty, ever-living God, look with compassion on our weakness and ensure us your protection by stretching forth the right hand of your majesty. Through our Lord..
FIRST READING
“If you pour yourself out for the hungry, then shall your light rise in the darkness.”
A reading from the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 58:9c-14)
Thus says the Lord: “If you take away from the midst of you the yoke, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your desire with good things, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in. “If you turn back your foot from the sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the Lord honourable; if you honour it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; then you shall take delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride upon the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
The word of the Lord.
Also Read: Daily Reading for Friday, February 16th, 2024
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 86:1-2.3-4.5-6 (R. 11ab)
R/. Teach me, O Lord, your way, So that I may walk in your truth.
Turn your ear, O Lord, and answer me,
For I am poor and needy.
Preserve my soul, for I am faithful;
save the servant who trusts in you, my God. R/.
Have mercy on me, O Lord,
For I cry to you all the day long.
Gladden the soul of your servant,
For I lift up my soul to you, O Lord. R/.
R/. Teach me, O Lord, your way, So that I may walk in your truth.
O Lord, you are good and forgiving,
Full of mercy to all who call to you.
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer,
And attend to my voice in supplication. R/.
VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL Psalm 95:7d- 8a
Glory and praise to you, O Christ. I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord, but that he turn from his way and live. Glory and praise to you, O Christ.
GOSPEL
“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 5:27-32)
At that time: Jesus saw a tax collector, named Levi, sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he left everything, and rose and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house; and there was a large company of tax collectors and others sitting at table with them. And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
TODAY’S REFLECTION
Living in denial is a terrible misfortune. No Christian should be there. The scribes and Pharisees in their holier than thou attitude categorized the tax collectors and others as sinners undeserving of the company of Jesus. Jesus however retorts that it is not those who are well who need the doctor, but the sick. The church is both a gallery of saints and a hospital for sinners. Am I so wrapped up in my virtue that I feel I do not need Jesus? Do I feel I do not need to go to confession? Am I resolved to be less judgemental of others who sin differently? Am I resolved to respond more promptly to the invitation of Jesus to follow him?
THE SEVEN HOLY FOUNDERS OF THE SERVITE ORDER:
Today’s memorial recalls how seven businessmen of Florence (Italy) decided to leave their families and possessions in order to embrace a life of prayer and penance, especially venerating the Blessed Virgin Mary. Their choice was a clear condemnation of the internal feuding, the love of money and the immoral behavior that plagued society at the beginning of the 14th century. By devoting themselves to spiritual renewal, prayer and penance, they not only attracted new members but also helped the Church to be a beacon of hope and renewal.
PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL FOR LENT
The mouth is used for speaking and what comes out of the mouth can motivate, inspire, discourage or evil kill. If you really want to grow in your spirituality, you must really watch what you say, when you say it and where you say it. Speak positively always, you will help heal our wounded world and you will also help wounded hearts to find the healing balm they need. Use your word today to make someone feel strong to go the extra mile in achieving more good for our world.
Do not just speak because you feel like speaking, try and check what your words will give,(life or death) before you utter them.
Let us pray,
Lord Jesus, may I wholly follow you leaving sin behind. Amen.
