19 February 2016

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Friday, 19 February 2016 : 1st Week of Lent (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we heard in the Scripture readings about the importance of being righteous in our actions in life, and how important it is for us to remain committed to the righteousness in our lives. God wanted to show us that no one is truly beyond redemption, and there is hope for us all, as long as we are willing to commit ourselves to the way of our Lord.

There is no such thing as immediate damnation until it is too late for us or if we constantly and repeatedly refused the offer of mercy from God. And there is also no such thing as privileged status for us if we are righteous, and if we are not careful or if we do not stay vigilant, we may easily fall back into sin, and therefore back into damnation and the risk of hellfire.

God wanted us to know that our faith cannot be one that is passive and without action. And neither can our faith be contradicted by our actions that do not show our faith, and instead bring about scandal because of our wickedness. Instead, we have to live our lives filled with real action based on our faith, and in all of our dealings and actions, they must be filled with the grace of God and in accordance with God’s commandments.

In this season of Lent, have we all done what is expected from us as Christians, as those who believe in the Lord our God? Have we done the actions that show us as true Christians not just on paper, but also through real and concrete acts as well? This is the perfect opportunity for us to take up our crosses and follow our Lord, and proving through our dedication and commitment, to be faithful to God in all things.

We are all called to bring forth peace, harmony and love among peoples, between ourselves and our brethren and neighbours around us, in our own families, in our own societies and communities, that everyone may live with one another in peace, and in harmony to do the will of God, and by loving and caring for one another, we may bring each other closer to God.

It is important for us to keep ourselves pure and far away from sin, and even though temptations to sin will always be there, but if we put forth the effort of our bodies, hearts and minds, together as one people of God, and if we help each other, surely then we will be better able to resist the temptations of sin and better able to reject with certainty the lies of Satan.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us all renew our commitment to the Lord this Lent, and let us all work together, to keep ourselves and our actions pure and righteous before God. Let us not give any chance for Satan to infiltrate our hearts and tempt us to sin, but cast him out and reject him with firm faith, knowing that if we follow him, we are heading to eternal damnation.

May God help us in this journey and this life, so that we may draw ever closer to Him, and that we may find our way to Him and be saved from the certain destruction awaiting those who have not been faithful to Him. God be with us all, now and forever. Amen.

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Friday, 19 February 2016 : 1st Week of Lent (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Matthew 5 : 20-26

At that time, Jesus said to the people and to His disciples, “I tell you then, if you are not righteous in a much broader way than the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.”

“You have heard that it was said to our people in the past : Do not commit murder; anyone who does kill will have to face trial. But now I tell you : whoever gets angry with a brother or sister will have to face trial. Whoever insults a brother or sister deserves to be brought before the council. Whoever calls a brother or a sister “Fool!” deserves to be thrown into the fire of hell.”

“So, if you are about to offer your gift at the altar, and you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, go at once and make peace with him, and then come back and offer your gift to God.”

“Do not forget this : be reconciled with your opponent quickly when you are together on the way to court. Otherwise he will turn you over to the judge, who will hand you over to the police, who will put you in jail. There you will stay, until you have paid the last penny.”

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Friday, 19 February 2016 : 1st Week of Lent (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Psalm 129 : 1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8

Out of the depths I cry to You, o Lord. O Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears pay attention to the voice of my supplication.

If You should mark our evil, o Lord, who could stand? But with You is forgiveness, and for that You are revered.

I waited for the Lord, my soul waits, and I put my hope in His word. My soul expects the Lord more than watchmen the dawn. O Israel, hope in the Lord.

For with Him is unfailing love and with Him full deliverance. He will deliver Israel from all its sins.

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Friday, 19 February 2016 : 1st Week of Lent (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Ezekiel 18 : 21-28

YHVH said, “If the sinner turns from his sin, observes My decrees and practices what is right and just, he will live, he will not die. None of the sins he committed will be charged against him; he will live as a consequence of his righteous deeds. Do I want the death of the sinner? – word of YHVH. Do I not rather want him to turn from his ways and live?”

“But if the righteous man turns away from what is good and commits sins as the wicked do, will he live? His righteous deeds will no longer be credited to him, but he will die because of his infidelity and his sins. But you say : YHVH’s way is not just! Why, Israel! Is My position wrong? Is it not rather that yours is wrong?”

“If the righteous man dies after turning from his righteous deeds and sinning, he dies because of his sins. And if the wicked man does what is good and right, after turning from the sins he committed, he will save his life. He will live and not die, because he has opened his eyes and turned from the sins he had committed.”